Jamaicans in Georgia to Celebrate Indepenence with Week-Long Activities

As the nation prepares to celebrate the island’s 44th year of independence on August 6, many Jamaicans overseas will be participating from their corner of the world, including Jamaicans in Georgia in the United States, who have planned a weeklong event in observance of this special occasion.
The Rt. Rev. Alfred Reid, Anglican Archbishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands will deliver the sermon at a Thanksgiving Service to mark the occasion at the Hillside Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia on Sunday, July 30 at 5:00pm. At the service, the Prime Minister’s message will be read by Vin Martin, Jamaica’s Honorary Consul in Atlanta, while the first lesson will be read by the President of the Atlanta Jamaican Association, Allan Alberga. The service will be moderated by the Rev. Dr. Winston Lawson, Pastor of Hillside Presbyterian Church, who will be assisted by the Rev. Dr. Noel Erskine, Associate Professor of Theology at Emory University, as well as the Rev. Dr. Denzil Holness and the Rev Barry Davies, who will coordinate the music for the evening. Jamaican singer Dawn Marie will render a selection A number of state officials, consulate representatives, and other distinguished guests are expected to attend the service, which will be followed by a reception. Meanwhile, the popular Festival Dance will take place today (July 29) at C&C Hideaway, 1510 Rodgers Lake Road, Lithonia, with music provided by Tony Randall.
Then, on Wednesday, August 2 the annual Cultural Extravaganza will take place at the Church of the Holy Cross, Royal Hall beginning at 6:00 p.m. The concert will feature a number of cultural performances including acts by Errol Moore, Lee Danja, the Carisol Singers, Unity Dance Troupe, the Sugar Canes, and special guest, Monty Montgomery and his band.
Jamaica’s Honorary Consul Vin Martin will present the Outstanding Community Awards, while Glenn Simmons of WCLK radio will be the Master of Ceremonies. On Saturday, August 5 a community health fair, hosted by the Atlanta/ Montego Bay Sister Cities Health Mission will take place from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Holy Cross Church Hall, in Decatur, where a number of services will be offered free including screenings for diabetes, hypertension, and HIV.
At 7:00 pm, the Atlanta Jamaican Association will host its annual Independence and Emancipation Ball and present scholarship awards. Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, P.J. Patterson will be the guest speaker for this black tie affair at the Hilton Hotel, downtown Atlanta and patrons will dance to the music of Monty Montgomery and Massive Band. On Sunday, August 6, the annual Family Fun Day will be held at Lithonia Park, featuring a live summer concert, a surprise celebrity spin, jerk competition, dominoes and other board games, pony rides, face painting, moon-walking contest, and eating contests, among other activities. The week long event is being planned by the Union of Jamaica Organizations in Atlanta, which comprises all Jamaican organizations in Atlanta, and is sponsored by Air Jamaica, Golden Crust Bakery and Caribbean Grill, Royal Caribbean Bakery, Caribbean Spice News Magazine, Caribbean Star, WCLK radio, and WRFG radio.