Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Mario Bowleg thanked parents, teachers and students for their work to make the return of Junior Junkanoo to Pioneer’s Way in Freeport, Grand Bahama a success.

The sounds of the future of Bahamian culture hit a high note on Thursday, February 16, 2023, as hundreds of Grand Bahamian students – from pre-school to Senior school – brought the 2023 junior junkanoo parade to life in downtown Freeport. Twenty-three schools participated in this year’s parade.

“The little encouragement and support that you give, goes a very long way to help make these youngsters productive citizens here in our country,” said Minister Bowleg. “So, we came here to watch them go up and down the boulevard and showcase their artistic skills and talents as it relates to the form of art we love the most, that we call Junkanoo.

“I thank all of the sponsors, the police officers, the judges, the logistics team, staff members at the Ministry of Culture and all of the stakeholders involved for bringing this event back to Pioneer’s Way. Have a great and enjoyable parade.”

The parade got underway shortly after 6p.m. and ran until after midnight. The preschoolers and primary school students were allowed to parade first, making two laps around the parade route.  Senior school Junkanooers gave fans an extra shot of junkanoo music as the night wore on.