This year’s Grand Gala event, of Jamaica’s Emancipation and Independence celebrations is a ‘must see’ says Acting Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Delroy Gordon. The street parade is being reserved till next year when 50 floats are expected to parade in celebration of Jamaica’s 50th year of Independence
This year’s Grand Gala event, the second to last event of Emancipation and Independence festivities is a ‘must see’ says Acting Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Delroy Gordon. This year, however, he says there will be no street parade due to a cutback on production costs, but it will be returned next year 2012 for the 50th anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence.
The event, is one of the major activities for Jamaica Independence Festival 2011, to feature costumed groups, marching bands, festival and gospel song winners, among others kicks off at 5:00 pm.
Stressing that the tickets are “free of cost, he reiterated that “no one should purchase the tickets”. Tickets though free are to be accessed once again through a special system put in place to ensure crowd control, and persons will not be allowed to enter the National Stadium without a ticket. They will be available from August 2 at various outlets, which will be announced in the press, and also at the JCDC head office.
Since it’s revival apprx 3 years ago, thousands of Jamaicans converge annually are expected again to converge at the National Stadium in Kingston, on Saturday, August 6 for the colourful spectacle of the annual Grand Gala. This year the theme is ‘Jamaica Rocks.”
According to Gordon “We will trace the history of the Jamaican music in a moving, colourful, exhilarating and exciting three-hour presentation.” He spoke at a recent JIS Think Tank held at the agency’s head office in Kingston.
The Grand Gala follows as per usual the annual Independence Day Parade, on the lawns of Kings House at 9:00a.m. Gordon promises pomp and pageantry for the event.
Sharing his vision on the street parade next year, he further said “It is our ambition that next year, we can put at least 50 floats on the streets of Kingston, symbolic of the 50 years of our Independence, and so what we want to do is to regroup our energies and resources to make sure that next year, where that is concerned, it is a humungous event.”
The street parade, which returned to the festival celebrations in 2008, features floats, costumed groups and effigies, which make their way through the streets of Kingston to the National Stadium.
OTHER ACTIVITIES ISLANDWIDE:
On activities in other parts of the island, Mr. Gordon said that civic ceremonies, stage shows and street dances will take place in the parish capitals.
In WESTERN JAMAICA, there will be a street parade and gala at the Montego Bay Waterfront, popularly known as “Dump-up Beach,” beginning at 2:00 p.m. on August 6. The parade will begin at Sam Sharpe Square.
Additionally, he said, there will be a two-day “Emancifest” in Sligoville, ST. CATHERINE starting Sunday, July 31 – Monday, August 1. This will include a bonfire and the singing of traditional songs as well as the sale of traditional foods.
Jamaica Independence celebrations will culminate in an Independence street dance in Half-Way-Tree Square, KINGSTON starting at 8: 00 p.m.
Jamaica Independence Festival 2011 is being celebrated under the theme: ‘The Journey Continues’. See full schedule of activities at THIS LINK.
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this is very Good. But why is it that the JCDC dont want to help the Long Bay/Fair Prospect Citizens Association (Portland) with their Street Gala which Attracs Thousands of patrans to Long Bay Portland on this same day August 6th. I believe that they need some help especially for Independence 50.
Dear Jermaine,
Thank you for communicating. Is there any way the write lovers team can assist in resolving your issues?
Maybe you could write a letter and submit to mediahouses stating with this one.!!
Bless
ANTHEA
very true Jermaine. Some great things are happening in Long Bay. I have been traveling there since the early eighties, and on my last trip, I saw the little library which is well used by the community, but needs more books, and computers etc. I have many many books, printers, to donate, but cannot afford the shipping from the usa. This is a fantastic community, and a beautiful place. It needs more support !! Anyone out there with connections to ship supplies to JA free or very cheap, please let me know.
Hi Monique,
The foundation OAaSIS International Foundation http://www.oaasisinternational.org which I am associated with can assist you. The proposal is that you use our links to send things to the island, however with the understanding that those under the foundations operations can also benefit. Perhaps the Foundation can make your community one of the areas where we can set up and operate so everyone benefits with transparency. If interested, please write further to [email protected]