The event, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), will involve some 2,500 participants, including several uniformed groups and dancers. “[They] have been trained over the last few weeks to participate, drawn from communities in Kingston and St Andrew and the plains of St Catherine, colourful costumes and very powerful and patriotic messages being conveyed through their performances,” portfolio minister Olivia Grange said.

Michael Holgate will serve as artistic director for the show, which will also feature a special highlight section on the inscription of Port Royal as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. “We’re going to have a fantastic segment on the inscription of the sunken city of Port Royal which will be dramatised… that experience of the earthquake and the rich history of Port Royal, which was once called the ‘wickedest city on Earth’,” she noted. Segments of the Grand Gala will also celebrate reggae music, most notably with the presentation of this year’s Reggae Icon award recipients.

“We will be recognising three of our outstanding, internationally established reggae artistes — Leroy Sibbles, Capleton, and Beres Hammond. They will be given the Reggae Icon award by the prime minister,” Minister Grange informed. “You know that a celebration cannot be complete without gospel. So, there’s a gospel segment, which will feature Kevin Downswell, Petra Kaye and Rondell Positive, and that is expected to be quite a very exciting segment… and, of course, we will wrap the celebrations with a fantastic reggae concert with Luciano and Chris Martin, and we will also have fireworks, not just in the National Stadium, but also in the parish capitals so this year is going to be bigger and better.” A favourite of the Grand Gala celebrations, the drone show, will also make a return at this year’s event. (Jamaica Observer/ Naphtali Junior)