THE year 2012 marks a special year for the recently rebranded to a “Young, Fresh and Hype” image — Linkz96 FM.

On February 1 the station celebrates it bronze anniversary, specifically, its eighth year in existence. Linkz96 FM, the brainchild of Roger Allen and a group of friends ,hit the airwaves of Western Jamaica on February 1, 2004 on the frequencies of 96.5 and 96.9.

Since its existence, the station has added another frequency, 96.7 to its roster. The station has also extended its reach from Cornwall to the county of Middlesex and several parishes in the county of Surrey. Since the advent of social media the station has grasped the opportunity to extend its reach internationally via its website of www.linkzfm.com.

Annually, the station celebrates its anniversary with an event, however, to mark the milestone, the station will be extending its celebration to a week of activities beginning on January 29 with a church service and culminating with the 2012 Linkz Awards on February 4, 2012.

Francine Donaldson, head of marketing, events and promotions for Linkz96 FM, explained that “the awards is a major event for the Linkz team and on the Western Jamaica social scene. However, it is always held separately in the latter weeks of February, and for this year we saw it fitting to introduce the awards earlier in the month, in order to have one huge celebration for the anniversary this year”.

The award ceremony, is the only one of its kind in Western Jamaica, rewarding and/or celebrating individuals and companies that have made strides in the entertainment industry in the counties of Cornwall and Middlesex since its inception in 2008.

This year’s Linkz Awards “celebrating excellence” is slated to be held at Pier One on the Waterfront Jamaica at 9:30 pm followed by an after-party. The fourth staging of the Linkz Awards is expected to showcase the landscape of the entertainment industry that is unique to western Jamaica.

The award categories include: New Artiste, Producer of the Year, Best Dance Club, Best Food Festival, Best Festival Song of the Year, Best Male Vocal, Best Selector, Best Dance Session, Best Female Vocal, Best Male Deejay, Best Sound System, Best Promoter, Best Exotic Club and Best Dance Series. As is customary of all the Linkz Award shows, there will be special performances and a presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which this year will be bestowed on Roy Rayon for his contribution to the entertainment industry.