KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Jamaicans in the western part of the island will celebrate ‘Jamaica 55’ with their own Independence Village from August 4-6 at the Closed Harbour Beach (Dump Up Beach) in Montego Bay, St James.

The event, organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), is part of activities to commemorate the country’s Emancipation and Independence under the theme: ‘Celebrating Jamaicans at Home and Abroad’.

A ceremony will be held on Friday, August 4, beginning at noon, to officially open the village.  

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis, and Custos of St James, Ewen “Patrick” Corrodus, will be the main speakers. This will be followed by a festival bandwagon concert featuring local talents from the west.

The three-day event will also feature rides and attractions, display booths and promotional displays, a kiddies village, food court and nightly concerts. All events are free of cost.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, told JIS News that the addition of the western village will allow more Jamaicans on that side of the island to join in the festivities.  

There will be nightly events beginning at 7:00 pm, which will feature performances by popular reggae artistes and local talents, among other activities.

Grange said that homage will be paid to iconic reggae artiste and son of St James, Jimmy Cliff,  “as a pioneer of reggae music and as someone who has carried reggae music to the world”.

“He will be honoured in Montego Bay, where he will receive the key to the city from Mayor Davis and Gloucester Avenue will be renamed in his honour,” she noted.

The festivities in western Jamaica will come to a close on August 6 with an Independence grand gala concert and a fireworks show beginning at 6:00 pm.

The show will feature international reggae recording artistes, Ernie Smith, Bounty Killa, Romain Virgo, Morgan’s Heritage and Ikaya.

Meanwhile, a myriad of activities are being undertaken at the Independence Festival Village at the National Arena in Kingston.  The celebrations will span from July 29-August 7.