Kingston’s National Stadium is expected to come alive with sound and colour tomorrow afternoon as celebrations in observance of Jamaica’s 49th anniversary of independence come to a climax at the Grand Gala.

Jamaicans are being urged to come out in their national colours — black, green and gold — to be part of what the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) promises will be a spectacle.

Over the years, the Grand Gala has been the showpiece of the independence celebrations, bringing together some of the best performers from the year’s festival of the arts, as well as some of Jamaica’s brightest stars to close the observance.

Also on Saturday, pomp and pageantry will prevail on the grounds of the historic King’s House — official residence of the Governor General. The independence parade is scheduled to take place at 9:00 am, and will see uniformed groups performing a march past.

Independence activities will not only be confined to the Corporate Area as civic ceremonies will be held in parish capitals islandwide on Saturday.

Over in St James, the Western Jamaica Street Parade and Gala will take place from Sam Sharpe Square to that city’s waterfront.

Back in Kingston and St Andrew, following the Grand Gala at the National Stadium, the Half-Way Tree Square will come alive with the Independence Street Dance.

This year, the JCDC reverted to the practice of concentrating the major activities in observance of Independence, emancipation and the festival events in one week.

Events began with the Festival Song Finals on July 29, the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen pageant on July 30 and the Independence Thanksgiving Church Service on July 31 at the Rehoboth Gospel Assembly in St Andrew.

Other events held during this week have included the Special Emancipation Vigil on July 31, the Gospel Song finals, the World Reggae Dance Championship finals and last night’s Mello Go Roun’ — that celebration of the best of the festival of the performing arts.

This year’s festival and independence celebrations are being staged under the theme, The Journey Continues.

Jamaicans at home and abroad are eagerly awaiting the events which will take place next year when Jamaica observes it 50th anniversary of independence.