Accept it or not, the Shell Saxons Superstars (the Saxons) have won both the 2023 Boxing Day and 2024 New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parades. If you missed these parades, you better go and watch them, as all groups came prepared to win. However, as the Saxons and other groups rocked Bay and Shirley Streets, there were many that didn’t get a chance to see it all, even though they were there; particularly in Rawson Square.
In person, the view of the parade is often blocked by judges, media personnel, police officers and seemingly random individuals which, understandably leaves onlookers annoyed.
People pay money to purchase tickets because they want to have the best possible view of the parade and be comfortable while doing so. Although there is great coverage of the event with multiple streaming options on TV and Social Media, there is no better feeling than hearing the chants “Oh they scared, they scared..” for yourself as the bleachers rock from side to side with onlookers cheering for their group.
However, this powerful experience is watered down when you have to look around multiple bodies, cameras and colored vests just to see your group! Keep in mind that you paid for this experience.
Now, on the other hand, the orange vests, cameras, and other individuals are necessary for the parade to function as is. Judges have to be present to judge, media have to get the best shots for pictures, social media, and of course live television, and the Police need to be present to ensure our safety during the event. There is no doubt that there needs to be people in the street as the parade goes on. So, what can we do?
There is already a limit on the amount of people that can be on the street, but do we lessen that number? Do we create a “media zone” that doesn’t block any seats but simultaneously gives the media enough room to roam and capture the videos, pictures and reels that we love to share during and after the parade? Do we raise all seating so that everyone can be above the heads of those in the streets? Do we change the location of the parade to a bigger one that allows more room for media to roam and provides better views for onlookers? Or, do we simply leave it as is?
I’m not sure if any of my suggested solutions are possible. However, I do know that no human is Nassau Glass. If I paid to sit in Rawson Square to watch my favorite group tear up the road, only to have my view impeded by an orange vest, I would be upset. However, I have to admit that those orange vests and other personnel are an essential part of the way the parade functions. So, what do we do? I don’t have the answers, but let’s talk about it!
