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2,000 Performers to Take Part in Float Parade and Grand Gala

July 30, 2009

The Full Story

Some 2,000 performers drawn from several communities and youth groups will participate in this year’s Festival Float Parade and Independence Grand Gala, on Thursday, August 6.
The events, part of the 47th Independence Day celebrations, will be held under the theme: ‘Preserving the Positive, Shaping the Future’.
Speaking at a JIS Think Tank, on July 29, Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Delroy Gordon, said the floats would depict four major Jamaican themes.
These include: ‘A Suh We Like it’, to be presented by groups from the communities of Pasmore Gardens, Federal Gardens, Jones Town and Craig Town; ‘The Great Revival’, by West Kingston; ‘Kas Kas’, by Olympic Gardens, Waltham Gardens and Majestic Gardens in Kingston; and ‘World Beaters’, by communities in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.
The floats will be accompanied by six costumed groups, each comprising over 200 participants as well as classic cars, pedal cyclists, motor cycles and flatbed trucks with music.
Participants will assemble at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road, in Kingston, for the float parade, which begins at 1:00 p.m.
The procession will make its way to Half-WayTree Square and continue on to Half-WayTree Road to Cross Roads, then turn left onto Old Hope Road. The parade will continue north on Old Hope Road, turning left onto Lady Musgrave Road and continuing right on Lady Musgrave Road at the Trafalgar Road intersection. The parade will end at the Digicel car park at the intersection of Lady Musgrave Road and Fairway Avenue.
Prior to the float parade, there will be an Independence Day parade at King’s House, where the Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen,the Prime Minister, the Honourable Bruce Golding, and Leader of the Opposition, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller will present their Independence Day messages to the nation.
Mr. Gordon said that even though the Grand Gala is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. at the National Stadium, a prelude of activities will begin at 3:30 p.m., featuring a racing display by the Cycling Association of Jamaica and the Go-Kart Racing Association.
“We are going to put on a very tight, exciting, entertaining three-hour show and we are hoping to conclude by 8:30 p.m.,” he noted, adding that, “it promises to be a great family event and persons can feel free to take their grandparents and grandchildren.”

Last Updated: August 26, 2013

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