Trinidad and Tobago will mark its 64th anniversary of independence on Monday, August 31, but a day earlier that country’s High Commissioner to Jamaica Deborah Thomas-Felix will host guests at a celebration in St Andrew marking the milestone.

The event, scheduled for The University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters in Mona, will feature entertainment, Trinidad and Tobago cuisine, and reflections on independence all packaged into what Thomas-Felix promised will be “a good time”.

“I am trying to have members of the diaspora, some of our students, some Jamaicans and, of course, members of the diplomatic corps come together and have a very good evening,” Thomas-Felix explained during the Jamaica Observer Press Club last Friday.

The event will be the first for the decorated judge-turned-diplomat who assumed office last October, succeeding former West Indies cricketer Deryck Murray.

Thomas-Felix is scheduled to give an address, so too Alando Terrelonge, state minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

“The reason why it is on Sunday is, I thought that instead of going home from work and having to get ready to come to an event, it would be better to spend your Sunday evening with us,” Thomas-Felix said.

She said that since her arrival she started a newsletter with the second edition, published last week, featuring the fact that her country and Jamaica ended British rule 25 days apart in 1962.

“This, to me, would be a precursor for our 65th next year, which would hopefully be a very big and grand event,” Thomas-Felix said.