DESPITE the threat of rain, thousands of flag-waving Jamaicans made the pilgrimage to the Grand Gala held at the National Stadium in St Andrew on Sunday evening. And they were not disappointed.

The occasion — a celebration of Jamaica’s 55th anniversary of Independence from Britain — showcased the best of the island’s culture in song, spoken word, and dance.

“You can be 55 only once… And so it’s important for us to celebrate our milestone; it is important for us to appreciate who we are, where were coming from, and where we are, and where we intend to go,” Olivia “Babsy” Grange, minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, told the Jamaica Observer.

The minister said Sunday’s event was a milestone affair.

“It’s our emerald anniversary and we wanted to honour two of our icons. Mr [Edward] Seaga — the father of Festival; the only surviving member of the 1962 Parliament; and the only surviving member of the committee that framed the constitution and Jimmy Cliff, a pioneer of Jamaican music and film… We also wanted to celebrate the Constabulary Force’s 150th anniversary and the City of Kingston’s 145th anniversary as the capital of Jamaica. It’s an evening of celebration, an evening to be proud of who we are, and for us to say, ‘Jamaica, in spite of the problems we have, we are still a great people and still a wonderful nation’,” she continued.

After receiving his award from Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Jimmy Cliff turned his acceptance speech into a sing-along.

“I am indeed humbled and thankful for this great honour from my own country. It has been a long journey to get to this point, and our ancestors have travelled an even longer journey. That is why I am inspired in many, many ways to say…,” he then belted out a few bars to Many Rivers To Cross, much to the delight of crowd who cheered and sounded vuvuzelas.

He followed up with a few stanzas of Rebel, You Can Get It If You Really Want, I Can See Clearly, and Reggae Night, before finishing his remarks.

“I thank you, and I accept this honour on behalf of all the people of Jamaica, and my dear beloved wife and children. Thank you so very kindly,” he said before exiting.

The evening’s entertainment package included performances from Etana, Mr Vegas, Bugle, Kukudoo, gospel singer Jermaine Edwards, Ernie Smith, Admiral Bailey, 2016 Festival Song winner Nazzle Man, and four-time Festival song winner Roy Rayon.

Roy Rayon’s energetic set was well received. Come Rock, Love Fever and Eric Donaldson’s Cherry, Oh, Baby all found its mark with the sea of green-and-yellow clad patrons. He closed with the ultra-popular Give Thanks and Praises.

Nazzle Man kept the Festival theme alive with Sweet & Dandy (Toots and the Maytals), U.N.I.T.Y (Desmond Dekker and the Aces), Come Sing With Me (Stanley and the Turbines), and Land Of My Birth (Eric Donaldson) before performing his winning entry No Weh Like Jamaica.

Etana, who closed the live segment, had the audience rocking to I Rise, Wrong Address, Jah Blessing, and I’m Not Afraid. She spiced up things with couple of lines from Toots and the Maytals’s Monkey Man.

Mr Vegas’s short stint comprised Nobody Greater, crowd fave I Am Blessed, and Sweet Jamaica. Bugle’s Rasta Party and Anointed had its following, while Ernie Smith and Admiral Bailey took the audience down memory lane with their popular ditties. Edwards and Kukudoo added a spiritual element to the occasion.

The constabulary marching band and uniformed group excited with their drill formations, while there were dancing numbers from Tivoli Dance Troupe as well as colourful sets from nearly 2,000 youth dancers from Kingston and St Catherine.

A colourful 16-minute firework put a lid on the evening’s proceedings.

Hairdresser Angella Williams gave the Gala “thumbs up”.

“It was awesome! The fireworks was crazy…mad! The dancing was overwhelming. The gala was well done. I give them 98 out 100,” she said.

Ten-year-old Taylor-Marie Fuller said it was “extraordinary”.

“I liked the dancing, fireworks, and singing,” she said.