Hanover Continues 300th Anniversary Celebrations

Jamaica’s second smallest parish, Hanover, continues to celebrate 300 years of being accorded its status.

Events are being spearheaded by the Hanover Municipal Corporation’s Civic and Community Affairs Committee; its subcommittee, Hanover 300; and the Social Development Commission (SDC).

The parish reached the milestone last November, and the celebrations commenced then with a church service and gala event.

Hanover was designated on November 12, 1723, for the reigning British Monarch, George I, who was from the House of Hanover in Germany.

Deputy Mayor of Lucea, Councillor Andria Dehaney-Grant, told JIS News that the milestone was a significant one for the parish.

“Three hundred years is really a lot of years, as a parish, to celebrate; there are lots of things that we have done. We have had a Governor-General and Prime Ministers [as well as] many other persons who are outstanding and making their mark out there in society,” she pointed out.

Among the list of notable Hanover natives are National Hero, the Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante; former Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Sir Kenneth Hall; former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, and iconic sportswoman, Merlene Ottey.

Mrs. Dehaney-Grant was speaking with JIS News during the recent Hanover Main Street Festival, held at Sir Alexander Bustamante Square in the parish capital, Lucea, which formed part of the series of celebratory events.

Several primary and high schools, vendors and government agencies were among the Festival’s participants.

The event was also held to promote economic resilience and sustainable growth by spotlighting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and fostering local business connections. It also provided sales and networking opportunities for citizens.

Among the schools which performed were Lucea Primary, Bethel Primary, Rhodes Hall High, Rusea’s High, Hopewell High, Sandy Bay Primary, Green Island High and Pondside Primary.

The Deputy Mayor informed that vendors who participated in the event were from the Lucea Market, which was recently damaged by fire. She pointed out that vending fees were waived for the event.

“We decided, as a Corporation, to incorporate them as well so that they can come and sell some of their wares to get some resources in order to feed their families, as they lost their livelihoods in the recent fire in the market,” she said.

For his part, Co-Chair of the Hanover 300 Committee, Reverend Glenroy Clarke, told JIS News that while a number of the events planned for this earlier this year fell through as a result of several factors, the group was determined to press on with the celebrations.

He added that the committee plans to end the celebrations next January with a grand gala and dinner at the Princess Resort in the parish.

According to Reverend Graham, residents are elated to have the celebrations.

The Hanover Main Street Festival was staged in partnership with the HEART/NSTA Trust, Hanover 4-H Clubs, Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Fire Brigade and Members of Parliament, Tamika Davis and Dave Brown

The event, which was held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., culminated with a talent show and a retro party.