Hundreds of Jamaicans turned George Town into a sea of black, green and gold on Friday night 1 Aug. as part of the Independence Day celebrations of that country.
Music, food and culture were all front and centre as Jamaicans and Caymanian fans of their near neighbours marked the occasion at Compass Green.
Marlon Turner, originally from Kingston and IT manager at Digicel, visited the event with wife Alexandria and little daughter Zahara, 2.
Turner, who has lived in Cayman for more than 20 years, said, “It’s always good. The celebrations are done every year, but it’s always a good vibe.
“It’s something we look forward to every year.”
Three generations of one family, Natasha Logan, daughter Abigayle Richardson and grandson De’Andre were among the crowd estimated at more than 2,000 people.
Logan, originally from Spanish Town in Jamaica’s St Catherine Parish, has lived and worked in Cayman for nine years.
The caregiver said, “This is a part of our culture. It’s the first time I’ve come out to one of these events, but it’s something Jamaicans look forward to every year.”
Friday’s event also marked the introduction of Britain’s Slavery Abolition Act, which came into force on 1 Aug. 1834. The 63rd Independence Day will be celebrated on 6 Aug.
Cayman was administered from Jamaica in colonial times but opted out when its bigger neighbour achieved its independence in 1962. The two countries, however, retain close cultural ties.
Aldington Stephenson, one of the organisers of the celebrations, said it was the event’s first time at Compass Green and that he was delighted at the huge crowd.
He said, “We’ve had it in all different places – this is our 23rd year. I’m very pleased by the turnout.”
Stephenson, now retired from the telecoms firm Flow and who was also a DJ, said he was pleased by the number of non-Jamaicans who came out to celebrate.
He added, “There are a lot of Jamaicans, but there are Caymanians, Filipinos, Spanish, Americans and British, too.”
Stephenson said, “This event is a family one – it brings out whole families, which is great. We all look forward to it. People who don’t usually come to events will come to this.”
The crowds feasted on traditional Jamaican food such as jerk chicken, curried goat and the country’s famous Appleton Estate Rum.
Stephenson said organisation of the annual festivities took a huge amount of work and thanked its sponsors for their support.
He said, “It’s worth the effort every year, though. The smile is on the people’s faces.”
Jamaican delicacies were available on Compass Green throughout the day and the evening’s attractions included dance, music, entertainment and food.
Compass Green was also the venue for a gospel concert on Saturday night featuring top singers, including Joan Flemmings and Alex Soulz. On Sunday, the Jamaican Consulate in Cayman organised a special church service of thanksgiving at St George’s Anglican Church in George Town.
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