NASSAU, BAHAMAS – ONE Family cemented its dominance in Bahamian cultural celebrations by capturing the New Year’s Day Junkanoo parade championship, completing a remarkable back-to-back sweep after previously winning the Boxing Day parade. The group’s triumphant performance, themed “No Matter What, We Gern to Church! So What’s Your Reason,” electrified Bay Street with vibrant costumes adorned with jewels, feathers, and Christian symbolism.
The winning presentation featured dancers in sparkling church attire moving energetically along the parade route, with some performers carrying offering baskets while others in pastel pink and purple ensembles executed dynamic choreography that drew enthusiastic cheers from spectators. Supporters enthusiastically shouted “two straight” in recognition of the group’s consecutive victories.
ONE Family achieved victory with an impressive 594 points, decisively outperforming defending champions Saxons Superstars who placed second with 566 points under their theme “The Crusaders: The Divine Battle for Salvation.” Roots secured third position with 539 points for their presentation “The Greatest Shows on Earth.”
Additional rankings included The World Famous Valley Boys 1958 (fourth, 533 points), Genesis Warhawks (fifth, 531 points), The Way Forward Valley Boys (sixth, 446 points), Music Makers (seventh, 390 points), and Prodigal Sons (eighth, 225 points).
In the B Division competition, Colours Entertainment and Junkanoo Organisation emerged victorious with 570 points for their presentation “A Bahamian Sunday,” followed by Immortals Junkanoo and Community Organisation (second, 449 points), and Fancy Dancers (third, 371 points).
Christina “Muffin” Fernander, former chairman of ONE Family, told The Tribune that these consecutive victories held special significance following what she described as a disappointing previous season. She credited the group’s members for their determination and hard work, noting that they “wanted it really badly, and their efforts paid off.” Fernander emphasized that these wins demonstrate ONE Family’s enduring presence in Junkanoo, recalling earlier years when the group received little support but has now established itself as a major force among traditional contenders.
This achievement marks the second time ONE Family has secured back-to-back major parade victories, having previously accomplished consecutive wins during the 2022-23 season.