The junior parang season kicks off this weekend in Moruga, as 36 primary and secondary schools prepare to compete for musical honours at the Junior Parang Festival 2026.
Hosted by the National Parang Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NPATT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, the two-day competition takes place at the Moruga Multi-Purpose Youth and Sport Facility on November 14 and 15.
The venue carries its own parang history, with Moruga Secondary School having won the competition three consecutive times, in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Twenty primary schools will compete on Saturday, with defending champions Morvant Epiphany Anglican Primary School performing ninth in the line-up.
Last year's runners-up, Sacred Heart Girls' RC School and Arima Boys' RC School, will also return, performing 12th and 11th respectively.
The secondary school competition takes place on Sunday, with defending joint champions Bishop Anstey High School, Port of Spain, and Queen's Royal College performing 10th, followed by St Joseph's Convent, St Joseph, at 14th.
Last year's runners-up, St Mary's College, will combine with St Joseph's Convent, Port of Spain, to open Sunday's competition.
Proceedings begin at 9 am each day with the Tribute to the Icons, followed by the musical competition.
Primary schools – Saturday, November 14
Order of appearance:
* St Dominic's RC Primary School, Morvant
* St Patrick's New Town Boys' RC School
* St Gabriel's Girls' RC School
* Barataria Anglican Primary School
* Holy Family Preparatory School
* Belmont Boys' RC Primary School
* Malabar Government Primary
* St Pius Boys' RC School
* Morvant Epiphany Anglican School
* Tunapuna Boys' RC School
* Arima Boys' RC School
* Sacred Heart Girls' RC School
* San Juan Boys/Girls Government Primary School
* St Peter's RC Primary School
* Paramin RC School
* San Fernando Boys' RC School
* Vance River RC School
* St Charles Tunapuna Girls' RC School
* Point Fortin RC School
* La Pastora Government Primary School
Secondary schools – Sunday, November 15
Order of appearance:
* St Mary's College and St Joseph's Convent, Port of Spain
* St George's College
* Providence Girls' Catholic School
* Open Bible High School
* Trinity College Moka
* Blanchisseuse Secondary School
* St Augustine Secondary School
* Belmont Secondary School
* Bishop Anstey High School East (BATCE)
* Bishop Anstey High School, Port of Spain, and Queen's Royal College
* St Charles High
* San Fernando Central Secondary
* Holy Name Convent Point Fortin Secondary
* St Joseph's Convent, St Joseph
* St Joseph's Convent, San Fernando
* Tunapuna Secondary School
Tribute to the icons
Primary schools: Morvant Epiphany Anglican School, St Gabriel's Girls' RC School, Cedar Grove Private School and Point Fortin RC School.
Secondary schools: St François Girls' College and Holy Name Convent, Port of Spain.
