Approximately 30,000 spectators are expected at the Grand Gala scheduled for Saturday, August 6 when Jamaica will mark its Independence Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

On July 26, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia “Babsy” Grange had announced in the House of Representatives that the cultural showcase, which is slated to begin at 6:00 pm, will feature presentations in music, drama, song and dance, by costumed and uniformed groups alongside popular local artistes.

She said that about 2,500 performers and crew drawn from communities across the Corporate Area and St Catherine will perform at the Independence Grand Gala.

Some of the special guest performers include Beenie Man, Barrington Levy, Teejay, Toni-ann Singh, Glacia Robinson, and Tessanne Chin.

“It is going to be extremely grand,” she said, adding that people who wish to attend the Grand Gala may get their tickets at Sangster’s Bookstore locations in Cross Roads, Springs Plaza, Portmore Pines, and Montego Bay; World Net Microfinancing branches and Jamaica Cultural Development Commission offices islandwide.

Tickets will also be distributed at the Jamaica 60 Independence Village inside the National Stadium.

“Those who are not able to get tickets, it will be live on television, electronic boards across the island and we will be streaming right across the world,” Grange said.

During the event, Sanchez and Derrick Morgan will be honoured with the Music Icon Award for their sterling contribution to the popularity of Jamaican music on the world stage.