By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

ELEUTHERA schools dazzled the judges at this year’s Junior Junkanoo parade, taking two of the top spots, with the Spanish Wells All Age School just edging out the Harbour Island All Age School by three points to emerge as the overall winner in the senior school divison.

In the junior high school division, A F Adderley took the top spot, while Uriah McPhee won the primary school division and the littlest junkanooers from the One On One Preschool won in the preschool division.

Thousands of Junkanoo enthusiasts turned out for the Silver Jubilee 2012 Esso Jr Junkanoo Parade.

Spectators were on their feet as they were wowed by the performances of nearly two dozen schools whose pupils flocked to Bay Street in downtown Nassau to not only put on a show but to be crowned Silver Jubilee Champions.

Some of those spectators spoke with The Tribune about the parade and why they chose to attend Thursday night’s five-hour spectacular.

Banker and proud Bahamian Valentino Bethell said he looked forward to seeing children engaged in the ‘deep rooted expression’ of culture that is Junkanoo.

“The children are just adorable. It is great to see them at this youthful age engaging in such a deep rooted expression of Bahamian culture. These are our future Junkanooers for the Saxons, Valley Boys, One Family, Colours Etc. Judging from their performance, they get it!

“This art and culture is a great activity for our kids to groom or teach respect, discipline, team work and love of their country and cultural heritage.

“Supporting this event annually is not only for my two nephews ages six and seven, but my support is also for the encouragement of all youth of our country.”

Siprianna Minnis said “I like what I see so far. No fighting, no carrying on. Everybody is here, as one people enjoying the music, the costumes and the performances.”

Adrianna Knowles, a student from the College of the Bahamas said this year’s parade was vibrant and youthful.

She said: “I came to watch because it’s entertaining and I love to see our youth’s talents being stirred in a positive direction and using our culture as a tool in their futures and the future development of Junkanoo.”

On attendance numbers Silbert Ferguson, Chairman of National Junkanoo Committee of New Providence, said yesterday: “I don’t have the full numbers before me right now. Junkanoo parade is slated to seat 8,000 people. We think we had about 75 per cent of the seats filled at junior Junkanoo. However, this does not taking into account that two sections of seats were missing. But our accountant is working on that and a full report on those numbers should be ready in the upcoming days.”

Opposition leader Dr Hubert Minnis came to the parade with his six-year-old grandson, who like him, is a member of one of the major senior Junkanoo groups.

Mr Minnis said: “I brought my grandson and he’s enjoying it. He’s six years old but he rushes with us at Saxons. We brought him to see what the Junior Junknaoo was like because he started out with seniors. And we’re really enjoying it. I think it’s well organised and the kids look like they’re having fun themselves and it’s a good training ground for the senior groups.”

Prime Minister Perry Christie, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald, South Andros MP Picewell Forbes, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly were among the many politicians who turned up to support the fun.Children from the Centre For the Deaf and Hearing Impaired were also present as special guests of the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Dr Daniel Johnson. He said that though the children would not be able to hear the music and performances, looking at them, he knew that they could feel Junkanoo in their hearts.

With the cultural event reaching a significant milestone since its establishment in 1987, a number of schools, like One on One Preschool and AF Adderley Jr High, executed themes in honour of the parade’s 25th birthday.

Other institutions like The New Reality Education Centre, Revere Academy, and TA Thompson Jr High focused their presentations on land, water and natural habitats.It was the performances of the senior division of the parade that really kept the crowd on their feet.

With schools like Harbour Island All Age, CR Walker and the defending champions Government High School, there was no doubt that the last hours of the parade were the most thrilling.

Mr Neilly spoke to The Tribune after Harbour Island All Age school left Rawson Square having put on a splendid performance as the opening group in the senior division.

“I feel wonderful. They’re extremely talented. You could hear the beat to the goat skin drums and they are and doing a wonderful job. Spanish Wells All Age School is coming out later as well. So I’m very proud of Spanish Wells and Harbour Island and we’re going to carry something home.”

Olympic Gold Medallist and Golden Knight Ramon Miller was anxious to see what his alma mater, CR Walker, would bring to Bay Street.

“I’m a CR Walker Knights for life. I came out to see them and I hope that they put on a good show but I’m here to support everyone.”

Miller and his teammates captured Gold in the 4x400m Relay at the London Olympics this summer.On Thursday, however, Miller said, “I’m a spectator tonight and a Junkanooer by heart.”

“So it’s my time to sit down and watch the juniors perform and do their thing. I haven’t been to Jr Junkanoo in like six years and I’m enthused to see all the little kids out here coming out to participate in our culture.”

Youths and Culture Minister Dr Johnson told The Tribune that the parade was important for many reasons.

“The Silver Jubilee tells the story of a country moving forward. It tells the story of us as a people and it includes this concept we’re working on, is a bridge; past, present, future,” he said.

“Last Tuesday, we honoured the Junkanoo legends. We honoured Dr Hervis Bain, one of the originators who designed our Coat of Arms, as a Junkanoo legend. Then we’re looking at the present crew now, ‘Vola’ and ‘Guss’ in their final years of Junkanoo.”