St. James Residents Urged to Come Out for Emancipendence Celebrations

Residents of St. James are being encouraged to actively participate in activities to celebrate the country’s Emancipation and Independence.

In an interview with JIS News, St. James Parish Manager for the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Collel Blake, said that residents should be proud of the significance of the Emancipendence period.

“We need to embrace our freedom and understand the uniqueness of our culture when it comes to our food, dance, music and all the natural resources that we have to offer as a people and as a country. So, we want the support of our parish people to come out, enjoy what we have to offer, ” she said.

The celebrations, spearheaded by the St. James JCDC, commenced with a church service on July 28 at the Kingsway Tabernacle United Pentecostal in Pitfour.

The highly anticipated Emancipation Vigil will take place in Sam Sharpe Square on July 31 beginning at 9:00 p.m.

It will include a gospel segment to give praise and thanks to God for protecting the parish during Hurricane Beryl. “Yes, we had damages, but it could have been worse and so we’re grateful,” Ms. Blake said.

“So, we will have… our JCDC Gospel Star from 2020, Tricia Williams; Performing Arts gold medallist Raheem Wellington; and Sebastian Braham, who is originally from St. Ann, who will be our star [artiste],” she noted.

Emancipendence activities in St. James will culminate on August 6 with an Independence flag-raising and awards ceremony in Sam Sharpe Square at 10:00 a.m. and an Independence street dance at 9:00 p.m. at the same venue.

“There will be a viewing for those persons who want to see what’s happening at the national Grand Gala in Kingston. We will have the viewing from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. [at Sam Sharpe Square],” she said.