Grenadians near and far can expect an array of spectacular events as the country gears up to celebrate its Golden Jubilee on February 7.
This is the assurance given by the head of the government appointed Secretariat for the National Organising Committee (NOC) of the Jubilee Gail Purcell at a press conference held in St George.
Purcell told reporters that the events will kick off in high gear as soon as the New Year begins.
“We fully in Independence mode. We are fully in Jubilee mode. We are ready for the celebrations…,” she said, adding that the diverse members of the NOC are in the “engine room” to make sure that the Independence celebrations highlight the event.
“A lot of hands are going into ensuring that we create the environment for our wonderful celebration to mark our Golden Jubilee on February 7th, 2024,” she remarked.
The head of the NOC Secretariat made mention of the school mobile museum, which was launched on November 29, 2023, at the St. George’s Anglican Senior School.
Students from the St. Mark’s Secondary School, Hillsborough Government School in Carriacou along with the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School got the first opportunity to engage with the mobile museum.
With the sister isles getting the first look, Purcell stated that more students from the mainland are expected to come to the museum in the new school term for 2024.
“We kicked off the end of November with our mobile museum, the introduction of the mobile museum which reflects a series of installations of panels that are historic in their nature and education for our schools.
“We kicked it off in eight schools. We have now distributed them for the first eight schools and we will be continuing the distribution when school resumes in January.
According to Purcell, who is excited to continue the process, the school mobile museum provides “an opportunity for our young people to delve deep into their history, their heritage, their culture, and to interact with the museum panels which share a lot of information from pictures to narratives…,” she said.
Purcell reiterated that the Jubilee Celebrations will be filled with many events for everyone.
“We have an extensive lineup of activities and events planned for the Independence period. We are encouraging people to stay tuned and participate, come out and be part of everything that is happening.
“It is our 50th Jubilee celebration. It is going to be exciting. It is going to be fun and there (will be) events for everyone to take part in.”
The Head of the NOC Secretariat also told Grenadians that the Independence celebrations should be an opportunity for the people to come together as one.
“We really want to take the opportunity to extend the invitation to the general public to use this as an opportunity for us to come together as a nation and commend our future into his (God) hands as we move forward,” she said.
As part of the packed calendar of events, January 3 saw the unveiling of the CARICOM roundabout as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The roundabout seeks to publicise the role of the Father of the West Indies Federation T.A. Marryshow had in regional integration in the Caribbean.
Following the CARICOM roundabout unveiling, the youth symposium is due to be held on January 19 at the Radisson Beach Resort in the south of the Island.
Calypsonians and performers will then get involved with the second round of competition for the 2024 Independence Calypso Monarch competition to be held at the La Sagesse playing field in St David on January 20 and the finals one week later on January 27.
On January 21, local Gospel artistes will get their opportunity to shine at the “Golden Voices of Faith” concert to be held at Progress Park in St. Andrew.
The Round the Island Flat Relay to give sporting enthusiasts the chance to compete in a quadrathlon throughout the island will take place on January 28.
The sporting disciplines to be involved in this event will include running and cycling among others.
THE NEW TODAY understands that the Grenada Arts Council and the Grenada Office of Creative Affairs will be collaborating with the NOC for the 50th Independence Historic Art Exhibition and the annual Independence expo will be held on the Carenage on February 2.
On the same day, local performers and entertainers will be onstage at the Up from Here concert at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium at Queen’s Park.
Grenadians at home and in the diaspora will be honored at the Governor General’s Gala and Cocktail on February 3 at the Radisson’s Beach Resort.
An opportunity will be given to the people to give thanks at an Ecumenical Service planned for February 4, and this will take place on the same day as the annual St. Paul’s Cultural Extravaganza at the Community Centre.
One of the major highlights of the week leading into Independence Day will be a national radio and television address in which Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell will share his thoughts and vision for the island on February 5 dubbed “Vision 50”.
National Colors Day will be held on February 6 to be followed by an event known as “Folk in the Town” on February 8 on the Carenage.
Steelpan groups from throughout the tri island state will inject the sound of steelpan during PAN50 and Foodfest on February 10.