Jamaica 50 celebrations begin January 1

Debbie-Ann Wright, Assistant News Editor
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

Celebrations for Jamaica’s 50th anniversary are set to begin on January 1 with fireworks on the waterfront, downtown Kingston, and at various locations across the island.

The Jamaica Information Service reports that preparations for the celebrations are far advanced.

It says the celebrations, will be held under the slogan ‘Jamaica 50: Feel the heart and soul of a nation’.

Project Director of the Jamaica 50 Secretariat, Lenford Salmon says the celebrations will continue all year and will culminate in another fireworks display on December 31, 2012.

However, Salmon says the main highlights of the year-long celebrations will be in August, which is the month Jamaica gained independence from Great Britain in 1962.

Meanwhile, the Project Director says the planning committee has created several Legacy Projects, which will last beyond the celebrations.

These projects include the issuing of Jamaica 50 commemorative stamps; the erection of the Basil Watson monument at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital; the establishment of the Marcus Garvey Park and Museum in St. Ann’s Bay and the issuing of souvenir coins and commemorative bank notes.

Jamaica 50 is being led by thr National Planning Committee, with the support of the Jamaica 50 Secretariat, which is co-ordinating and implementing the programme of activities.

debbie-ann.wright@gleanerjm.com