Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, officially opened the 17th annual City of Freeport Council's Junior Junkanoo Parade in Freeport on Saturday.

Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, officially opened the 17th annual City of Freeport Council's Junior Junkanoo Parade in Freeport on Saturday. The event, which was originally scheduled for January 23 but due to inclement weather was postponed, had 27 participants from Grand Bahama and Bimini and the parade for the first time was free for spectators. Photos capture some of the fervour.

By Bahamas Information Services

Moments before the 17th Annual City of Freeport Council's Junior Junkanoo Parade got started in Freeport on Saturday, officials gathered for a photograph. Shown from left are: Cecil Thompson; Allyson Smith, Co-chair, Grand Bahama Junkanoo Committee; Stanley Pinder, Deputy General Manager, Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas Northern Region who delivered the prayer; Kaylisa Beneby, Co-chair, Grand Bahama Junkanoo Committee; Minister Darville; Ms. Rowena Poitier, newly appointed Director of Culture; Chevita Campbell, Chief Councillor, City of Freeport; and Henry Higgins, National Junkanoo Committee with responsiblity for Junior Junkanoo.

The 17th Annual City of Freeport Council Junior Junkanoo Parade, held in Freeport on Saturday, had 27 participating schools from Grand Bahama and Bimini. For the first time bleacher seating was offered free of charge to the general public. Shown is a member of one of the many pre-schools from the parade.

Tourism Minister, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, is seen greeting the newly appointed Director of Culture, Ms. Rowena Poitier. Minister Wilchcombe, along with Senator the Hon. Tanisha Tynes; Miss Grand Bahama, Miss Danielle Pratt; and Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr. the Hon. Michael Darville, were all present for the 17th Annual City of Freeport Council's Junior Junkanoo Parade on Saturday.

The 17th Annual City of Freeport Council's Junior Junkanoo Parade was well attended on Saturday as people flocked from all Grand Bahama and Bimini. With 27 schools participating in the event, the students put on quite a show. Shown from left are: Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition Free National Movement and MP for East Grand Bahama, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest; Senator the Hon. Tanisha Tynes; Miss Grand Bahama, Miss Danielle Pratt; Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe; and Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville.

This year, the Bimini All-Stars made their presence felt during the 17th Annual City of Freeport Council's Junior Junkanoo Parade in Freeport on Saturday. Twenty-six other schools from all over Grand Bahama also participated in the parade.

The Bimini All-Stars were proud to be a part of the 17th Annual City of Freeport Council's Junior Junkanoo Parade in Freeport on Saturday. In total, some 27 schools participated from Grand Bahama and Bimini, and spectator seating was for the first time free of charge.

Of the 27 schools participating in the 27th Annual City of Freeport Council's Junior Junkanoo Parade, the Eight Mile Rock Blue Jays were one of them. Schools from Grand Bahama and Bimini participated in the event. (BIS Photos/Vandyke Hepburn)