Fri | Jan 2, 2026

Independence Gala provides grand finale to St James Jamaica 50

Published:Saturday | August 11, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Pause
Glendon Harris, mayor of Montego Bay, presents a Visual Impact Programme Award to Donna Watson of the Jamaica Public Service Company for the company's first-place win in a city-wide competition where business places were decorated to showcase Jamaican history and culture.
Montego Bay Mayor Glendon Harris (right) and his wife, Dr Angella Samuels-Harris (second right), basked in the feeling of nationalism during a civic ceremony to commemorate Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay on Monday. Also pictured are South St James Member of Parliament, Derrick Kellier (centre), and West Central St James Member of Parliament, Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, and her husband, Michael Abrahams.
The Montego Bay Boys and Girls' Club Marching Band leads an Independence Day procession down St James Street in Montego Bay on Monday.
1
2
3

WESTERN BUREAU:

Residents of Montego Bay, St James, turned out in their hundreds to attend the Montego Bay gala at the Closed Harbour Beach (Dump-Up Beach) on Monday.

The St James Jamaica 50 Committee hosted the event, which was punctuated by a four-minute fireworks display at midnight.

The gala followed an Independence Day civic ceremony in the historic Sam Sharpe Square earlier in the day.

Patrons were treated to music and cultural presentations including performances by Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Festival gold-medal winners and contortionists Dynamic Brothers.

The evening was topped off by performances by noted entertainers including Konshens; Cherine Anderson; Tappy P; and the Blow Wow Band; Pluto Shervington; Little John; Mackie Conscious; Mikey Ranks; Prissy G; and Audley 'Blue Flames' James, the winner of the St James Jamaica 50 Song Competition.

The family affair also offered a kiddies' village with bounce-a-bouts, face painting, and clowns. A big screen was also put up at the grounds from which live footage from the London Olympics and highlights from the Jubille Village in Kingston celebrations were broadcast.

"We wanted to close off the Independence celebrations in fine style. The attendance at the festival village over the four days was encouraging, and as we progressed throughout Monday night, it intensified," said Councillor Suzette Brown, chairman of the St James Jamaica 50 Committee.

"For Jamaica 50 in St James, we've had quite a number of events, starting with the Miss St James Festival Queen, which was won by Rochelle Fagan," added Brown. "Additionally, we had our Evening of Excellence [and] a symposium looking at Montego Bay. Coming out of that symposium, we'll be publishing a magazine which will be used as a reference guide for St James."

Brown was also pleased with the huge turnout at the civic ceremony where 15 St James residents were presented with the Spirit of Independence award for their contribution to community service, industry, and commerce.

Photos by Christopher Thomas