JCDC to Stage Several Events in the West

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), has outlined a raft of events to be staged in Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James and Trelawny as part of ‘Jamaica 53’ Emancipation and Independence celebrations.

Making the announcement at a JIS ‘Think Tank’, in Montego Bay, on July 21, JCDC Western Regional Manager, Natalie Morris, said events are being staged in keeping with the theme of this year’s celebrations: ‘Jamaica 53, Proud and Free’.

She said the events will also provide the JCDC with an opportunity to unearth and promote talents in the targeted parishes.

“In an effort to unearth, develop, promote and preserve the creative talents and cultural expressions of the Jamaican people, we will be staging over 30 events in Western Jamaica. Our activities will be done in partnership with several stakeholders. We are partnering with the Parish Councils, and also this year, we have a relationship with a number of other bodies, which are coming on board,” Ms. Morris said.

She added that this year’s celebrations will be highlighted by the return of the popular ‘Festival Bandwagon’, which is expected to galvanize and excite residents across the four targeted Western parishes.

“We will be having the festival bandwagon between August 2 and 5 in the Western Region, starting in Whitehouse (Westmoreland) and ending in Duncans (Trelawny),” Ms. Morris said.

She also announced that as a prelude to the programme of activities, the JCDC will be hosting what is called, ‘The Big Stage’, where talents from the West will be engaged in the various community competitions and the winners will meet in the grand finale on Independence Day in the respective parishes.

Also on the schedule of events are Church Services, Emancipation Vigils, Independence Day Civic Ceremonies and Independence Day Concerts. The JCDC will be spending some $8.5 million to stage the activities.

Also in attendance at the ‘Think Tank’ were  the JCDC Parish Managers for Hanover, Westmoreland, and Trelawny.