FORMER Prime Minister Bruce Golding is to deliver the keynote address at the annual Team Jamaica Bickle Independence Gala scheduled for today in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The event is being used to celebrate Jamaica’s 64th year of independence and to raise funds to assist athletes from Jamaica and eight other Caribbean Islands to participate in the prestigious annual Penn Relays.

Blaine Stoddard, a co-founder of Team Jamaica Bickle, told the Jamaica Observer that it has spent more than US$4 million in supporting Caribbean athletes who participate at the relays, during the 34 years of its operations.

“Apart from Jamaica we have assisted athletes from St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, Belize, Bahamas, and Guyana. We are also prepared to assist athletes from any other country of the region,” said Stoddard.

Five people — Jannie L Blackwell, Dr Eric Nzeribe, Stanley L Straughter, Dr Kimisha Simpson, and Tammy Mack — are to be honoured at today’s event for their contributions and service to community development.

The Team Jamaica Bickle Independence Gala, which will be held at the Hilton City Avenue in Philadelphia, is billed as a night of luxury and culture.

It is one of several events that will he held throughout the Diaspora to celebrate Jamaica’s independence.

While the Jamaican consulate will not be hosting its annual ball this year, two other events will be held to commemorate the event.

Christopher Benjamin, community relations officer at the consulate, said a flag-raising ceremony is scheduled for August 4 at Bowling Green Square in Manhattan, New York City, while the annual church service will be held on August 9 at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene at 971 East 227th Street in the Bronx.

He added that the consulate has also offered to, “provide the usual support to the many community organisations which have planned activities and value our participation and our support”.

One such organisation is the Jamaica Rising Day Parade which will host what it says is “America’s first Jamaican Day Parade,” in Brooklyn.

According to the organisation’s website, it is built on four transformational pillars that drive education, cultural preservation, community upliftment, and economic advancement.

“These form the core architecture of every partnership, programme and initiative we deploy,” reads the website.

The Jamaican Day Parade is scheduled for August 8, beginning with a VIP Breakfast Reception at the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce building.

The parade route will start on Flatbush Avenue and end with a block party at the Dr Ronald McNair Park on Eastern Parkway.

According to the organisers, Jamaica’s heritage and culture will be on full display during the parade.