Jamaicans in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia Plan Events for Independence

The Jamaican communities in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia have planned a series of events to commemorate Jamaica’s 48th year of independence.
These activities will begin on Friday August 6 (Independence Day), when the Jamaica Progressive League (JPL) will stage its annual Independence celebrations and the League’s 47th anniversary dinner/dance. This will take place at the Villa Barone Manor in the Bronx, New York.
On Sunday August 8, the Jamaican Consulate in New York will stage its Independence Church Service, to be held at the Beulah Church of the Nazarene in the Bronx, New York, commencing at 4:00 p.m. The guest preacher will be the Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who is Chaplain to Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth.
Consul General, Geneive Brown-Metzger will deliver the Prime Minister’s Independence message and the service will begin and end with a grand procession of the clergy. The offering will go towards supporting a youth initiative in Tivoli Gardens.
The Officiating Ministers will be the Rev. Dr. Winston A. Fyne and Rev. Cannon Calvin McIntyre.
On Saturday August 14, the Jamaica Independence Foundation will stage Jamaica’s 48th annual Independence Grand Ball, at the New York Hyatt and Towers Hotel in the Grand Ballroom. This black tie affair will have as its guest speaker, renowned journalist, talk show host and playwright, Hon. Barbara Gloudon, O.J.
This gala event is under the distinguished patronage of Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Early Childhood Foundation and the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUW).
On Saturday, August 28, the Jamaica Ex-Soldiers of New York Association will stage its third annual fund-raising gala and dinner/dance, at the Adria Ramada Hotel in Bayside, Queens, commencing at 7:00 p.m. The event will recognise a number of ex-soldiers and Jamaican organisations. Proceeds from the event will go toward the veterans’ home for injured soldiers in Jamaica.
In New Jersey, the Independence celebrations will commence on Monday August 2 with the annual flag-raising ceremony at the Patterson City Hall commencing at 5:00 p.m. The Mayor of Patterson, New Jersey, Jeff Jones, and the Consul General will participate in the flag-raising ceremony.
On Sunday, August 8, the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey will host an Independence Thanksgiving service, at the United Presbyterian Church in Patterson, New Jersey. Among the special guests to attend the service will be New Jersey’s Governor, Chris Christie and the Consul General.
Meanwhile in Philadelphia, ‘Team Jamaica Bickle’ will host a Jamaica 48th year independence dinner/dance on Saturday August 7, at the Penn Landing Centre, downtown Philadelphia commencing at 7:00 p.m. Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Philadelphia, Dr. Alston Meade, will deliver the Prime Minister’s address.