Emancipation Day made special - Crowds entertained at Jubilee Village

Emancipation Day, day one of five at Independence Park's Golden Jubilee Village, got off to a start under the theme, 'Folk Allure'. The day was attended by young and old, most of whom came clad in national colours to add their bit of patriotism to the big 5-0.

The entertainment delivered on the big stage at the National Stadium's parking lot by groups such as Manchioneal, Drews Avenue, Seaforth Group, Spot Valley High and Hot Top Gerreh, kept well inside the theme, taking those in attendance on a musical journey with performances of dances such as the quadrille, dinki mini and the maypole.

The St Michael's Steppers and Police Youth Club also came up through the ages as the band moved to the rhythm of Sammy Dead, One Love and the Overproof rhythm.

During the Vauxhall High School choir's performance of a medley, a trek to the National Arena saw patrons visiting the various booths set up at the Jamaica 50 Golden Jubilee Exposition. They also enjoyed a calmer form of entertainment at the piano bar there.The band at the piano bar played instrumentals from The Harder They Come, among popular jazz and blues tunes.

A screen was provided at the piano bar so persons could also keep an eye on the activities on the main stage. A glance at it showed the choir from Vauxhall High still delivering the medley.

Among the most frequented booths at the exposition included the Jamaica Defence Force's, that had men trying to do push-ups while weighed down with a heavy backpack.

Jamaica Public Services' replication of a tramcar and the National Housing Trust's booth that saw Amina Blackwood-Meeks telling stories that entertained several laughing patrons from 'her veranda', were also sights to behold.

Several interesting artefacts that will be housed at the Jamaica Sports Museum were on display at a less-decorated upstairs section of the arena.

A jonkunnu band that pranced through the arena was another highlight of the exposition, a crowd of patrons with cameras in hand following them as they exited the building and carried on with their antics outdoors.

The children's village was a hit among the youngsters who had a blast, but at approximately 4:30 p.m., it began to rain, and those on the outside came rushing into the arena for cover.

They all sat and stood and listened to Jubilee Conversations, as noted historians attempted to trace Jamaica's political history, before a grand concert began on the big stage outside.

(from Jamaica Gleaner)