Flagstaff Emancipation Family Fun Day Returns

Residents of Flagstaff and surrounding areas in St. James are gearing up for the return of their premier community event, the Flagstaff Emancipation Family Fun Day on Monday (August 1).

The event, which resumes after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, will be held at the Flagstaff Community Centre starting at 10:00 a.m. and entry will be free of cost.

The day’s attractions will include performances from school groups, the Nyabinghi Drummers, Bright Star Mento Band, Heights and Maroon Town marching bands, and the Accompong Maroon Culture Group, as well as stilt walkers and bounce-about.

Councillor for the Maroon Town Division, Everes Coke, told JIS News that the fun day, which is being spearheaded by the St. James Municipal Corporation has attracted support from government agencies and private sector companies.

The event also has the blessing of St. James South Member of Parliament and Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Homer Davis.

“We are excited to see the resurgence of this cultural event, which effectively celebrates our rich history and heritage. Residents are happy to see the revival of the August time staple,” said Councillor Coke.

He noted that a wide variety of traditional dishes and treats will be on sale “such as banana chips, coconut drops, coconut cake, duckunoo, curried goat, jerk chicken and pork, mannish water to name a few.”

The entertainment package will be headlined by Natty King while celebrity

Maroon Town native, Arnold Kelly from NCU 91.1 FM will be the day’s master of ceremonies.

The broad-based organising committee for the Flagstaff Emancipation Family Fun Day, includes representatives from the St. James Parish Development Committee (St. JPDC), the Social Development Commission (SDC), the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) as well as Spirits of Jamaica Sports Bar and Grill.