Spectators were treated to the “Joy of Christmas” from the Shell Saxon Superstars with the depiction of the birth of Christ the Saviour.
As the first out of the starting gate, Saxons proved to be one of the longest groups on Bay as the parade did not start as planned at 12 midnight.
Moreover, instead of a 30 minute period to get from Market Street to Bay Street, the group started moving at 12. 40 a.m. but was not cleared until about 1. 35 a.m.
Despite the delay, the Saxons theme projected the joy that Christmas brings and the birth of Christ being the reason for the season with a display of the navivity. There were Christmas carols displayed by off the shoulder dancers and much holiday music and cheer.
A beautiful piece to behold was ‘Dreaming of a White Christmas’ and the sight of four men standing tall on stilts. Saxons looked like they wanted to make a sweep.
Next out of the gate was the Music Makers, who wowed the crowd, compelling them to shout “hold the Saxons.”
With the theme of ‘Special occasions- A celebration of life,’ the Music Makers portrayed familiar sights such as the birthday party, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Sweet-16 and the like.
Other pieces depicted Baby Showers, New Year’s Day, graduation, the first day of school and other memorable life moments.
The Prodigal Sons – new kids on the Junkanoo block also presented Greeting Cards for special moments.” As the expression of sending greeting cards has existed for more than 200 years, the Prodigals mixed the old designs in with the new.
The banner was depicted as a wedding pop-up card which showed a live wedding, complete with a bishop, bride, groom, and the traditional cutting of the cake.
Barabas and the Tribe who were positioned to enter the parade fourth were not allowed to display “1973- A nation is born” after the grand marshall of the parades, Mr. Livingston “Bones” Hepburn, said they used too much cloth on their costumes. A disappointed Barabas vowed that nothing would keep him from Bay on New Years day.
In that void came the invasion of the Great Roman Empire by the Valley Boys instead. Spectators were invited to view the Senate and the People of Rome, with the Roman Emperor Caesar.
The Valley Boys had an expansive court of Romans with familiar faces like Brutus, Maximus and the beauty of Pompey.
‘One Family brought miracles, signs and wonders of the Bible’ to Bay Street with a dynamic piece for Pharaoh’s Torment: The Plague of Egypt and the lead piece ‘the Valley of dry bones’. One Family was filled with energy and gripped the crowd.
Roots brought a World in Crisis- with life size pieces of Terrorism in the Middle East and a captured Saddam Hussein. Warriors who brought freedom through co-ordination with countries like the United States, Tony Blair, the British prime minister and Ariel Sharon, prime minister of Israel were also shown.
All Junkanoo groups proved to be crowd pleaser’s as there was something for everyone to laugh, clap, cheer and dance about. Sting brought their thing and Colours explored the mystical expedition in the Southern Bahamas.
One thing was clear, spectators in the crowd wanted no part in judging the parade, as there was stiff competition on Bay Street.
By Jimenita Swain, The Nassau Guardian
