SOUTH FLORIDA – South Florida is home to the one of the largest population of Jamaican nationals living abroad.
As the island of Jamaica gets ready to celebrate it’s 48th Year of Independence the Jamaican community in South Florida (and Southern USA) has numerous events scheduled to celebrate the independence of their homeland.
Planned Events
July 23
Deadline for annual Jamaica Independence Essay Competition – Jamaica Information Service
(for details: contact JIS 305-374-8384 or [email protected])
1:00 p.m. – Radio interview/WLRN-91.3 FM with broadcast host Ed Bell (Independence celebrations in the Diaspora)
Sunday, July 25
2:30 p.m. – 18th Annual Independence Mass organized by Food for the Poor Inc. Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Miami, FL
5 p.m. – Kendall Community Church of God Independence Celebration Service, (Guest Speaker, Minister of National Security, Hon, Dwight Nelson, Kendall Community Church of God 8795 SW 112 St., Miami 33176 (contact 305-274-3072)
July 28-31
Jamaica Heritage Festival, Palm Bay United Methodist Church, Palm Bay, FL 32905
(Contact: [email protected])
Saturday, July 31
7 p.m. – Jamaica Grand Independence Ball: Caribbean Music Festival/ Needy Kids of Jamaica
Emerald Hills Country Club, Hollywood, FL (contact: 954-681-1091)
Sunday, Aug. 1
4 p.m. – Jamaica Consulate General Ecumenical Independence Church Service, First Presbyterian Church of Ft. Lauderdale (305-374-8431 ext. 221)
6:30 p.m. – Independence Reception/Launch of “Culturama 2010” Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs (contact: 305-405-2712 www.jamaware.org)
Hosted by the Consulate General /Jamaica Awareness Inc
Monday, Aug. 2
4:30 p.m. – Jamaica Flag Day – City Commission of Lauderhill, Broward County Lauderhill Sports Complex, 7500 W. Oakland Blvd., (contact: 954-336-6223/954-749-5112)
Thursday, Aug. 5
5:30 p.m. – Book Launch by Most Hon. Edward Seaga ON, PC, (Memoirs: My Life and Leadership – Volume 1) Jamaica United Relief Association/South Regional-Broward College Library, 7300 Pines Blvd.
(contact: 954-201-8825 or 954-937-3651 or 954-987-3489)
Friday, Aug. 6
7:30 p.m. – Premier Independence Ball, Sheraton Ft. Lauderdale Airport Hotel, Under patronage of Consul General Sandra Griffiths, Guest Speaker, Most Hon. Edward Seaga (contact: 954-201-8825 or 954-937-3651 or 954-987-3489)
8 p.m. – Lighting of Bank of America Miami Tower in Jamaican flag colors, downtown Miami (until Sunday, August 8, 2010) (courtesy, Wealth Capital Management USA, Inc.)
Saturday, Aug. 7
2 p.m. – Family Day picnic – Jamaica Independence Celebration, Miramar Regional Park Corporate Pavilion Hosted by Friends of Good Shepherd (contact: 954-441-9886)
7 p.m. – ‘Celebration Concert’ in celebration of Jamaica’s 48th Independence at Berean Church of God 3601 Davie Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Hosted by Ladies Ministry (contact: 954-792-1110 or 954-792-1115)
7 p.m. – Annual Independence Ball, Jamaican/ American Association of Central Florida, Rosen Plaza Hotel 9700 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819 (contact: 407-292-3719)
6:30pm. – Jamaica Gala Fundraiser, The Jamaica Foundation of Houston Westin Galleria Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 5060 West Alabama, Houston, TX 77056 Featuring: Ernie Smith and Pluto Shervington and Company (Contact; 832-316-3290, or visit www.jamaicafoundationofhouston.org)
7 p.m. – Annual Independence Ball, Renaissance Waverly Hotel, Cobb Galleria, Atlanta, Georgia
Most. Hon. Edward Seaga – Guest speaker
Atlanta Jamaica Association (contact: 770-953-4500/ 404-425-8674/404-787-4206) www.ajaatlanta.org
Sunday, Aug. 8
3 p.m. – Mass of Thanksgiving – Jamaica Emancipation & Independence, Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 1400 So. State Road 7 FL 33068 Christian Awareness Association, Inc. (contact: 954-974-8453/954-443-9248/954-485-6840)
12 noon to 9pm – Jamaica Independence Celebrations, “Fun Day” Miramar Regional Park, Miramar, FL (contact: 954-251-1643/954-394-0758)
NRS Promotions/Riddims Marketing Network/United Friends of Highgate
Saturday, Aug. 14
Book Launch by former Senator, Delano Franklyn, South Regional Broward College Library 7300 Pines Blvd. “Michael Manley: Politics of Equality & Sprinting into History” (contact: 954-201-8825)
Sunday, Aug. 15
3 p.m. – Annual Thanksgiving Service, First United Methodist Church, 230 Prima Vista Blvd. Pt. St. Lucie, FL 34983 (contact: 772-879-9414 or 772-828-7490)
Tuesday, August 17
6:30 p.m. Marcus Garvey Rootz Extravaganza. Guest Speaker, Dr. Willie Myles, Founder, Campaign to save a Generation. Venue – Joseph C. Carter Park, 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale
For more info call: Rootz at 954-981-1176 or Carter Park at 954-828-5411
Friday, Aug. 20
Caribbean Cultural Association Independence Observance, Tampa, FL (Joint celebration of Jamaican & Trinidad & Tobago Independence)
(Visit by CG would incorporate Community Outreach in Tampa)
(Please contact the affiliated organization or producers for additional information)
