Independence Village at National Indoor Sports Complex August 3-5

The National Indoor Sports Complex in Kingston will come alive in celebration of Jamaica’s rich culture and heritage at the Independence Village from August 3-5.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, provided details at the National Emancipation and Independence Thanksgiving Church Service held on Sunday at Grace Missionary Church in Kingston.

While this year’s celebrations have been scaled back in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, locals and visitors to the island will be able to enjoy a range of fun and exciting activities under the theme: ‘Jamaica 62: One Love … To the World’.

Activities at the village will be held from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. each day, a JIS release stated.

Among the highlights are the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Coronation on August 3; Jamaica Gospel Star Finale and Gospel Praise Concert on August 4; and ‘Mello-go-Roun’ on August 5.

The annual Grand Gala will be held on August 6 at the National Stadium, featuring a spectacular 700-fleet drone show. The event will include a special display to celebrate the 75th anniversary of women being admitted into the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

“Additionally, we will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Chinese in Jamaica. Jamaica is a true melting pot of ethnicities and cultures. Like a master potter, we have taken our diverse elements and moulded a society that is in many respects the envy of the world,” Minister Grange noted.

Emancipation Jubilee will be held on July 31 at Seville Heritage Park in St Ann. For the first time, it will feature personal apologies by notable descendants of former slave owners, some of whom will journey to Jamaica, while others will send recorded apologies.

“As we commemorate the 186th anniversary of the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of slaves in Jamaica alongside our 62nd anniversary of independence, we do so with a deep sense of solidarity, charity and brotherhood towards one another,” Minister Grange said.