THE Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Honourable Olivia Grange, MP, has announced the plans for this year’s Independence Day celebrations being staged under the theme “I Believe in Jamaica”.

Having announced the series of activities for the period leading up to Independence Day at the grand launch of Jamaica Festival on June 18th, the minister has now announced the Independence programme to be led by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).

Announcing the Independence Day programme last Tuesday (June 20), Minister Grange said there would be the staging of the Independence Street Parade culminating with the National Grand Gala at the National Stadium on August 6.

“We will be hosting a street parade in our nation’s capital which will include costumed groups and marching bands leading to the National Stadium. When we get to the National Stadium we will truly celebrate our successes as a nation while looking forward to a great future with a programme designed to capture the imagination and lift the national spirit.”

There will also be the annual Independence Day Street Dance in Half-Way-Tree Square.

“The celebrations will be truly national as a major Independence Street Gala will be hosted in Western Jamaica; and there will be similar celebration events in major town centres across the island.”

In an effort to bring the entire country together, Minister Grange said that “special focus would be put on celebrating the role of the various ethnic groups in building our nation.” She said representatives of the respective communities would be integrally involved in this year’s celebrations.

Minister Grange also encouraged Jamaicans to participate in the National Visual Impact Programme, which seeks to promote greater civic awareness by encouraging public and private sector entities to fly the Jamaican flag, decorate buildings and motivating Jamaicans to wear the national colours.

In June, the minister outlined over forty events and activities including the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen competition, the National Visual Arts Competition, a Culinary Exhibition, the World Reggae Dance Championship, as well as the Augus’ Fair and Mello-Go-Roun’ to take place in the lead up to Independence Day.