NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Valley Boys Junkanoo group, on the heels of celebrating its 60th anniversary of bringing cultural expression to Bay and Shirley Streets, walked away as the champions of the 2019 New Year’s Day Junkanoo parade on Tuesday morning.
Under the theme, “Thanks and Total Praise,” the Valley Boys edged out six other category-A groups for the 2019 win.
Roots were first out of the parade gate, followed by One Family, Genesis, The Valley Boys and Saxons, who rounded out the category A line-up.
Both Music Makers and the Prodigal sons were no-shows at the New Year’s Day Parade following their disqualification after the 2018 Boxing Day Parade.
The Valley Boys entered Bay Street with a crowd-pleasing performance shortly before 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
As hundreds of its group members sashayed through Rawson Square, diehard group fans jumped to their feet and shouted with excitement.
“No one topped the Valley out here this morning. They had the energy, the music, the dancers were off the chains. They really performed this morning,” exclaimed Lisa Humes, a Valley Boys fan.
“The music brought me to my feet this morning. The pulsating drums, the horns; everything was awesome. The dancers were on point and wonderful. They brought Bay Street to life man,” said Karen Kikivarakis, another Valley Boys fan.
Roots secured a second-place finish.
The Saxons walked away with third place, One Family placed fourth and Genesis secured fifth position.
Meantime, the Colors Junkanoo group emerged victorious as the champions of the B category.
Original Congos placed second, Fancy Dancers secured third place, Redland Soldiers walked away with fourth place and Conquerors for Christ placed fifth.
The individual results for the A groups were as follows:
Choreography
1st – Valley Boys
2nd – One Family
3rd – Roots
4th – Saxons
5th – Genesis
Music
1st – Valley Boys
2nd – Roots
3rd – Saxons
4th – One Family
5th – Genesis
Shirley Street Performance
1st – Saxons
2nd – One Family
3rd – Roots
4th – Valley Boys
5th – Genesis
Banner
1st – Roots
2nd – Saxons
3rd – One Family
4th – Valley Boys
5th – Genesis