Jamaica almost didn’t have a birthday party, government officials said.

A late injection of funds saved the Grand Gala and Festival Parade increasing the cost of Jamaica Festival 2010 to some $70 million but still 20 per cent less than 2009.

“The National Festival Parade and Grand Gala–they were our major challenge this year. Due to inadequate funding up to mid-July, it did not seem possible to stage the event,” stated culture minister Babsy Grange in a written response to Observer queries and issued through Hugh Nash, the chairman of Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).

“The ‘green light’ came only 18 days before Independence Day and the enthusiasm and support of volunteers and excited participants made it a huge success. This success was largely due to participants’ passion for participation.”

She added that the participants went “the extra mile to keep this flagship event going” including costume designers, dance choreographers, dressmakers, tailors, artistic producers, technical services specialists and inner-city youth. She noted that the Western Jamaica Festival Parade and Grand Gala enjoyed its greatest success this year growing by one-third to 20,000 patrons.

The budget for the ‘celebrations of national events’ and ‘prime minister’s Independence Gala’ conducted via the JCDC was originally slashed to nil for 2010/11, from $20 million in 2009/10 and $100 million in 2008/9 budget as stated in the Estimates of Expenditure published by the Ministry of Finance for years ending March 2011 and also March 2009. This reduction has forced the JCDC to increase its reliance on sponsorship. This year, 75 per cent of the funding came from other government agencies including CHASE fund and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). The spend on festival last year was $90 million, funded mainly via sponsorship.

“We spent approximately 20 per cent less money this year. The JCDC introduced creative strategies to enhance the programmes despite, and in response to, the financial constraints. One example was the introduction of strategic alliances with private promoters to showcase JCDC talent on new stages such as Reggae Sumfest, Little Ochi Seafood Carnival and Ocho Rios Seafood Festival,” a culture ministry response to Observer queries stated.

Nash, integral with the Festival since inception, said that budgetary constraints wouldn’t stop the revitalisation of the national celebrations–which began two years ago. He said the budget cuts provided an opportunity “to build partnerships” and seek funding from the private sector, cultural industries and stakeholders.

“The revitalisation involves resuscitating the traditional activities and events of the Independence Day celebrations and merging with Emancipation Day celebrations in a meaningful way,” Nash told the Observer in a telephone interview. “Many of the celebratory activities were discontinued (years ago). It is still going to take a few years to get them back.”

The Jamaica Festival, the promotional title for the twin celebration of Emancipation and Independence. This title originated in 1964, the second year after Independence when it became necessary to create a meaningful vehicle for the annual observance. The popular programmes during the Festival include the Festival Song Competition, the Independence Float Parade, National Grand Gala, and Jamaica Gospel Song Finals.