Nassau, Bahamas - Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Charles Maynard introduces and makes presentation of award to Honouree Pamela Chandler Thursday, December 8, during the 24th Annual Junior Junkanoo Parade Honouree Ceremony in Rawson Square. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna 
 

 

CR Walker Knights Senior High School Choreograph Dancers during the 24th Annual Junior Junkanoo Parade December 8, downtown, Bay Street. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)  
 

 

OFF THE SHOULDER -- Government High School Senior High School's Off the Shoulder dancers perform during the 24th Annual Junior Junkanoo Parade December 8. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
 

One on One Pre School music section during the 24th Annual Junior Junkanoo Parade Thursday December 8. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)  
 
 

WoodCock  Primary School Dancers during the 24th Annual Junior Junkanoo Parade Thursday, December 8. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)  
 
 

The North Andros High School taking part in the 24th Annual Junior Junkanoo Parade Thursday, December 8. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

About Junior Junkanoo: The idea of Junior Junkanoo originated in 1987 when members of the National Junkanoo Committee, the Junkanoo Leaders Association representatives of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture visited Carnival in Trinidad. They first observed the participation, involvement and integration of Principals, Teachers, Parents, Supervisors and Students at various schools, preparing for what they call Kiddies Carnival, and wondered what it would be like to bring about an idea like this to the Bahamas. Then in 1988, the vision to host the first Junior Junkanoo Parade in New Providence was conceived. At the inception of the Junior Program, the purpose, the objective and rules governing the Parades were defined to continue to promote Junkanoo and other activities connected with the National Cultural Festival.

The Junior Junkanoo Program is an outlet for the extraordinary vitality of Bahamian students and therefore stands out as a means of affirming and enhancing the cultural identity of Bahamians and that the parade itself not only provides exciting entertainment but also serves as a vehicle of cultural interaction between public and private schools.