FOR the third time in its 56-year history, the Jamaica Festival Song Competition has been struck off the calendar of events for the island’s Independence celebrations which culminates on August 6.

Olivia “Babsy” Grange, minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, made the announcement in her sectoral debate presentation to Parliament in Gordon House Wednesday.

As in 2017, Grange cited a poor quality of entries as the reason for the competition’s suspension.

“It is with much disappointment that I inform the House and the nation that the Jamaica Festival Song Competition will not be part of the Jamaica Festival package this year. The panel, which usually selects the finalists for the Jamaica Festival Song Competition, has advised that it was unable to choose 10 suitable songs from among this year’s entries despite extending the deadline. We received 123 entries — much less than previous years,” said Grange.

“Under the circumstances, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission will refund all entry fees in the amount of J$123,000, and I’ve instructed that we ramp up our Jamaica Festival Song workshops over the next 12 months — now that COVID restrictions have been lifted — to ensure that the competition returns next year with much improved entries,” she continued.

Grange said the contest had seen “tremendous growth” in the last two years, appearing on several music streaming services, and, for the first time, earned royalties for the [Festival organisers] Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) and competitors. In place of the song contest, a commemorative Jamaica 60 album will be produced, featuring established and emerging acts.

The Jamaica Festival Song Competition was first suspended in 2013 by then minister of youth and culture Lisa Hanna, who wanted to reposition the contest as well as implement a voting system by which people could vote for their favourite Festival Song.

At the time, Grange labelled the move as a “backward step and a disgrace”.

“If you go back to the early days, it [the contest] was used to rally and motivate the people at a time of national celebration,” Grange said.

The Festival Song Competition, which was once known as the Popular Song Contest, began in 1966 as one of the highlights for Independence celebrations.

Last year’s winner was Stacious with Jamaican Spirit.

Popular winners over the years include Bam Bam by The Maytals, which won in 1966; Ba Ba Boom by The Jamaicans in 1967; Desmond Dekker & The Aces with Intensified from 1968; Eric Donaldson with Cherry Oh Baby and Land of My Birth in 1971 and 1978, respectively; and Give Thanks And Praises by Roy Rayon, which won in 1987.