Spectators flock the Passa Passa float as it makes its way along Half-Way- Tree Road during the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Festival Parade yesterday. The parade formed a part of Jamaica's 46th Independence Day celebrations.(Photo: Michael Gordon)

A buzz of excitement and a kaleidoscope of colours lit up the Corporate Area yesterday as thousands of Jamaicans lined the streets to get a view of the Independence Day Festival Float Parade.

The parade travelled from King's House in St Andrew along various main roads in the Corporate Area, into downtown Kingston, and then stopped at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Hope Road where the procession was joined by revellers and a number of vintage and racing cars.

The float then made its way down Hope Road, into Half-Way-Tree Square where what seemed like the largest group of onlookers greeted the parade with loud cheers and whistles, while others waved Jamaican flags purchased from vendors who cashed in on the activities.

For many of the spectators, this was the first they were experiencing an Independence parade since it was discontinued several years ago.

"I am looking forward to seeing the floats. I have never seen anything like this before," 12-year-old Grantley Chen told the Observer minutes before the parade arrived. "I can't wait to see it."

Jamaicans watch as the 'Ancestral Passion', part of the float in yesterday's Independence Day Parade, passes along Half-Way-Tree Road. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Trucks blaring music led the 10 bright and colourful floats as they travelled along Half-Way-Tree Road, in the vicinity of the National Commercial Bank.

The floats, which depicted various themes such as Ancestral Passion, which had persons from different ethnicities, while Passa Passa had a representation of a woman dressed in bright yellow skirt dancing on her knees. The Pickney Story float had children dressed in fairy-like clothing, while the Coronation Market float flaunted various crops such as bananas, ackee, melon, pineapple and cassava.

Effigies of the nation's national heroes as well as reggae king Bob Marley, and cultural icon Louise 'Miss Lou' Bennett-Coverley, were also a part of the attraction, while motorcyclists in the parade revved up the crowd as they performed their stunts.

There was excitement, too, from the Johncanoe's 'Belly Woman', who captivated the attention of the curious observers who rubbed her belly as she danced by.
Unlike many others who came out to see the float, it was not the first time for 62-year-old Douglas Jackson, who said he saw his first parade when he was in his 40s. Jackson said he recalled seeing the Johncanoe and revellers back then.

"I enjoyed seeing the different floats and there were a lot of young people dancing," he told the Observer. "I just leave work, but I make sure that I come and watch the parade."
Minister of Culture Olivia 'Babsy' Grange told the Observer that she was pleasantly surprised by the number of people who turned out to see the parade.

"Things are going very, very good. The response is tremendous. The families are out. everyhwhere I go people are just hugging me, kissing me and thanking me for bringing it back and how their children are going to be exposed to really positive things in a time like this," she said. "I did not know the response would have been so tremendous. I know that people long for a revitalised festival and I know that usually the streets are lined with people, but thought that for the first year it would take a little time to pick up."

But not everyone who came out got a chance to see the parade. The residents along Slipe Road, some of whom came out as early as 10:30 am, did not see the parade because it was diverted.

"We are all here to see the float and all of a sudden we hear that them change the route just like that," an obviously disgruntled resident told the Observer. "This is the highest disrespect."

The Independence Day celebrations culminated with the Grand Gala at the National Stadium, where more than 30,000 people were said to be in attendance.

By noon yesterday the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, organisers of the day's events, reported that tickets to the Grand Gala were all gone. Admission was free.

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