Junkanoo The Parade (Part 3)

The parade requirements of today if they haven't changed since I first learned about them twenty plus years ago are rigorous. The groups are still called families. I think of them more as burrows. The two family groups I had interaction with had about two hundred performers and many behind the scene designers and costume makers.

I had to give the ole girl scout pledge not to tell what I saw once inside the huts where they work on NON-MOTORISED magnificent floats and costumes all year long. Everything is made from a special crepe paper from France. I did see feathers in some of the newer photos.

The competition last eight hours. The route going around the block is about a mile long and starts at a large fire surrounded by 50-gallon goatskin drum faces getting ready for their debut . The smaller drums are snare drums they hold somewhat under their arm and play with their hands. I was told the route is done eight times with judges walking amongst the group members listening for synchronicity, clarity, and power.

I suggest you the video I'm placing here. The costumes are beautiful, shows a variety of floats, and the length is short but the sound is annoyingly distorted.