Old Harbour culture group highlights Jamaica 60 Independence plans

These activities were outlined by Treacha Reid, vice chair of the Old Harbour Zone Cultural Committee, a civic group made up of influential personalities from within Jamaica’s fastest growing town.

Among the main highlights for the week-long celebrations is a flag-raising ceremony, the first of its kind to be staged here in southwest St Catherine. This historic event, slated for 3:30 pm on July 31, will feature a march-past performed by a combined uniform group led by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and to include firefighters from the Jamaica Fire Brigade, school cadets and scouts.

Reid, the architect behind the flag-raising ceremony, emphasized its importance, saying: “It is significant because when Jamaica gained independence the flag was raised for the first time and each time I see that documentary it gives me a great feeling and I just thought that celebrating 60 years is a momentous occasion and I just thought that it would be a great experience to witness to see the flag being raised the same way it was raised in 1962.”

In keeping with this year’s Diamond Jubilee slogan Re-igniting a Nation for Greatness, the businesswoman said the time has come for Jamaicans to rekindle the spirit of patriotism.

“We will be singing the national song and saying the national pledge, and I just think that civic pride needs to come back to Jamaica. Jamaicans are not practicing civic pride anymore,” said Reid, who is the president of the South St Catherine Chamber of Commerce, a key partner of the planned festivities.

“Many Jamaicans do not know that we have a national song which goes to show that in schools the national song and pledge are not being recited anymore,” added the Shades of Elegance boss. “When I was going to school every Monday morning and Friday we had to recite the national song, the pledge and the anthem.”

On Independence Day the community will experience an all-day festival of activities in the form of a float parade before culminating with a street dance. Outlining the route for the float parade,

Reid said the journey starts at about 10:00 am towards Gutters then to Old Harbour Bay before climaxing at the town centre.

Sandwich between the flag-raising ceremony and Independence Day is the popular Regatta Festival on Emancipation Day at the Old Harbour Bay Fishing Village. The Old Harbour Family for Life charity will also be staging a two-day sport extravaganza at the Marlie Acres community playfield with part proceeds in aid of helping the persons in need.

“All the excitement will be in Kingston and Montego Bay, and so we as citizens in Old Harbour need to bring independence to our community because we can’t sit and wait on our government to bring the independence excitement to us. So as a community we came together and decided that we are going to bring Jamaica 60 to our town and bring some life and excitement into our town,” said Reid.

Several special invited guests are expected to be present for the flag-raising ceremony, chief among them Culture Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, Member of Parliament Everald Warmington, Mayor Norman Scott and Custos of St Catherine Icylin Golding.

Reid also acknowledged sponsors who have contributed towards the staging of the events.

They are: National Commercial Bank, First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union, Old Harbour News, Shades of Elegance, Jamaica Bedding, Ojay Koolers, Mystic5 Multimedia Services, Netcom Computers, Gateway Dental, Kaluga Kafe, Jamaica Energy Partners, Old Harbour Optical, Good Shepherd Medical, The Book Jungle Jamaica, Benson’s Pharmacy, Dr Kurt Waul Foundation, Cllr. Steve Graham, Farmer’s Jerk Centre, and the St Catherine South Police Division.

Reid is imploring residents to come out for these public events “so that our children can witness what independence is all about”.