MINISTER OF Local Government, Youth and Community Development, Arnold Bertram, admits that the national product will have to become more marketable in order to attract sponsors to events such as Independence celebrations.
"We can't ask people for sponsorship until they are seeing a product which excites them. We have to design that product and that is exactly what we are building this year," he said.
Minister Bertram was speaking at the national launch of Independence 2000 at the Office Centre Building's Amphitheatre, downtown Kingston on Tuesday.
The major highlight of this year's celebrations will be the Kingston street festivals. On Friday, August 4 and all day Saturday, August 5, there will be the Kingston Harbour Festival, along Ocean Boulevard, downtown, Kingston. On Sunday, August 6, the New Kingston Street Jam along Knutsford Boulevard has been planned, fashioned off the recent Japex Street Dance.
The Kingston Harbour Festival is being billed as a feast of music and culture and is expected to feature popular entertainers the Skatalies, Carlos Malcolm, Junior Kelly among others. There will be a craft village, culinary displays as well as a regatta and boat races. There will be ferry rides around the harbour as well as marching bands and a kiddies festival.
Joan Young-Davis, national co-ordinator of commemorative events in the Ministry of Local Government, Youth and Community Development, said the events will boost people's interest to remain in the capital city and celebrate Jamaica's Independence, rather than opting for alternative destinations locally or abroad.
The idea for the Harbour Festival was encouraged by the success of the fire works display held on the Waterfront on New Year's Eve.
Minister Bertram said he did not foresee a problem in terms of security for the upcoming events, as he believed that Jamaicans genuinely wanted to enjoy themselves.
"We are using these activities to imbue consciousness in our people through the things they like," he said.
Independence and Emancipation activities will be held in all parishes, Minister Bertram said and he pointed out that a plan would begin this year for the staging of float parades next year
The Kingston Comprehensive Drummers provided entertainment at the launch.
- A.C.
