The Valley Boys group was declared the winner even after being beaten in all categories by their rivals, the Shell Saxons Superstars.
Members of the group, whose home base is in Mason’s Addition, quickly made their way back to the city centre where they protested the results, but to no avail, as they were told that all decisions were final.
The Saxons walked away with top honours in best costume, best banner, music and choreography categories. They also won top honours on Shirley Street.
Won’t settle for results
Superstars Leader, Percy “Vola” Francis, immediately called for an investigation to be launched into the matter.
“To be honest with you, we were jumping up and down after we heard all those results in all those different categories and there was no way in this world that we should have won second prize. That was just devastating. We need to look into these scores,” he said.
“We are not just going to sit back and accept this thing. This has to be investigated,” Mr. Francis said. “We want an investigation as to how these numbers came about.”
‘Love’ supreme
The Valley Boys, with the theme “O Perfect Love ﾗ A Dream Wedding,” captured the New Year’s Day crown with 3,406 points, making it two straight victories, as they were also crowned champions at the John “Chippie” Chipman Boxing Day parade.
The Saxons came in a close second with 3,400 points. Roots placed third with 3,134 points. One Family placed fourth, Prodigal Sons came in fifth, Music Makers Sixth and Barabbas and The Tribe Seventh.
Communication gap
Questioned whether any member of the National Junkanoo Committee attempted to explain to them the judging procedure and whether they were being penalised, Mr. Francis said all his attempts to contact the members failed.
The Guardian also attempted to contact Co-chairman of the NJC Bill Wallace but all efforts proved futile.
“We are definitely going to protest this parade because there is no way on God’s earth that they could have come out on top,” Mr. Francis said.
Despite a visit to the Valley Boys headquarters shack, and a telephone call placed to his home, attempts to contact the group’s leader, Winston “Gus” Cooper, were unsuccessful.
Religious theme
Under the theme, “Come Worship the Lord ﾗ Magnify His Name,” the Superstars brought to Bay Street life-like designs that depicted bishops, deacons and altar boys, draped in bright shimmering colours.
The pulsating sounds of the goatskin drums, the fierce blowing of horns and whistles and with a well-orchestrated dance routine, the Superstars thought that they had dazzled their way into the hearts and minds of the crowd, which seemed to come alive as they made their way along the Junkanoo route.
Fallen comrade
Before a police estimated 30,000 spectators, they proudly rushed in honour of their comrade Christopher Moxey, 44, who collapsed and died Friday morning, just minutes after the Saxons had begun their performance.
Obviously irate and disgusted over the findings, Eddie Thompson a Saxons member and its representative on the NJC said he was brought to tears when he heard the results.
“Everybody who was out to that parade this (Thursday) morning knew that the Saxons won the parade hands down,” he said.
He asked, “What are they doing to junkanooers?”
“I know what these guys go through 365-days a year and to have somebody just take away from them what is theirs, that ain’t right,” Mr. Thompson said.
He likened the decision to a candy being snatched away from a baby.
B category results
Results in the B Category were as follows:
One Love Soldiers took first place with 1,900; Fancy Dancers placed second; Colours took third and the Bandits placed fourth.
Festive atmosphere
Despite the slightly chily temperatures, thousands of Bahamians and tourists went to Bay Street to support their favourite group and participate in the holiday festival.
The overall atmosphere was one of energetic participants “giving their all”, and cheering crowds, permeated by chants of support and half-heard snatches of speech by fans of the various groups.
The dancing, strutting, and occasional just-clowning-around performers, were propelled along by a loud, insistent, rhythmic, repetitive score, played loud by musicians using drums, cowbells, trumpets, trombones, saxophones, tubas, clarinets, tubas, whistles, and, it seemed, any instrument that could be used to produce a distinctive sound.
Many spectators, although not appearing to outwardly display their emotions, were obviously “dancing inside” to the choral-like passages that included calypso, gospel music, martial airs, and other rousing songs.
At one point, a seating marshall was observed escorting an apparently blind person to a seat just below Athena’s cafe, from the balcony of which a goodly number of persons also watched the parade.
Wisdom pleased
In his overview of the New Year’s Day parade before the results were released, Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Neville Wisdom said he was particularly pleased with the crowd control and each group’s performance.
“Crowd control was excellent, and people were gaining good and clear access to their seats. They felt safe and comfortable as security was also heightened,” Minister Wisdom said.
By Keva Lightbourne, The Nassau Guardian
