Participants in yesterday's Independence Day celebrations put finishing touches to effigies of National Heroes and personalites for the float parade. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Almost on the eve of the 29th Olympiad in China, where Jamaica's prospects for gold in a number of events are high, Olivia Grange, minister with responsibility for culture and sport, described the gala affair as a "prelude to the glory that we will experience in Beijing".

Police estimated more than 33,000 Jamaicans were in attendance.

Grange said that, in the last decade, attempts were made to stage float parades, but these did not capture the depth of the Grand Gala event.

Clad predominantly in green, gold and black, spectators screamed with joy as they observed the grand performances. At the same time, thousands remained on the outside, some disgruntled that they did not get the opportunity to witness the cultural event first hand.

Lovely floats

Younger spectators marvelled at what they were seeing, saying they had never experienced the Grand Gala before, and that they wanted it to become an annual event.

Earlier in the day, however, those who would not have been able to enter the stadium had the opportunity to watch the Independence Day Float Parade, which was last attempted in 2002.

"My heart is so full," said Grange. "What we have done is put the pieces back together. We have taken the parade, which started in the morning at King's House, and put it back in the stadium as the ceremonial sequence of the gala."

She added: "We have given back the Grand Gala to the people."

Tremendous impact

The theme of this year's Independence celebration was 'One Love, One Family', and Grange said this had a tremendous impact on the family.

According to her, the event brought warring and politically polarised communities together with the participants wearing one costume, marching together, dancing together and singing together.

Grange said a 100-voice choir, which performed at the gala, would be formalised as the national choir.

A 100-piece orchestra will also stay together as the national symphony orchestra.

The Grand Gala was attended by scores of officials, led by Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall and his wife; Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller, who both received thunderous applause when they entered the stadium.

President of the Senate, Oswald Harding, Chief Justice Zaila McCalla, Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie and former prime minister Edward Seaga were also in attendance.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com

The Coronation Market marching band takes part in the parade. - photos by Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Young spectators show off their patriotism.

Spectators watch the 'Word, Sounds and Power' media float as it travels along Half-Way Tree Road.