The National Celebrations committee is working feverishly at ensuring maximum participation from all Grenadians for the 42nd Anniversary of Grenada’s Independence. According to the Chairman Ms Ann-Marie Marecheau, several avenues will be utilized to sensitize the public as the events and plans for the 42nd Anniversary Celebrations unfold.
Social media will play a vital role in the dissemination of information via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visitors into the country will also be exposed to the events via activities at the Maurice Bishop International Airport. Persons in the diaspora are encouraged to stay abreast with the celebrations here at home via their various Internet platforms.
Grenada’s 42nd Anniversary of Independence is less than one month away as the National Celebrations Committee prepares for the grand occasion carded for the National Stadium on 7 February. The committee has established the programme of events that has already commenced with the National Environment and Beautification Campaign that will continue until 2 February.
Sport will play an important role in the celebrations with several disciplines engaging in competitions across the Tri Island State including the under-15 Secondary Schools Cricket, The women’s cricket 20/20 Parish Tournament, Inter-Parish Volleyball Competition, a school road relay in Carriacou & Petite Martinique, swim meet and tennis tournament. The independence Sport Meet will be held on Saturday 23 January, and on Sunday 24 several Independence walks will be held across the nation.
Celebrations will also be held in Carriacou & Petite Martinique starting with a Schools Road Relay, Independence Rally in Petite Martinique on 27 January, and in Carriacou the Independence Rally and Extravaganza on the 28 January in Hillsborough, the Junior Calypso Monarch on 30 January, and the awards and reception on Tuesday, 2 February..
The excitement will start to build with the return of the Independence Motorcade. The motorcade will be held on Saturday, 30 January starting at 9 am from Burns Point in St George’s. The entire nation is invited to come out and showcase their national colours across the nation in a show of patriotism.
The Independence Calypso Competition will be held in the Grenville Bus Terminal, on Saturday January 30 at 8 pm. The Ministry of Culture is spearheading the event which has an established deadline for registration as of Monday 11 January. The reigning Independence Calypso Monarch is Sean Niles ‘Sour Serpent’
The week leading up to Independence Day will be the highlight of activities including the National Church Service on Sunday 31 January at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Grand Anse starting at 3 pm Friday is national colours day including inter-ministerial competition. The entire nation is expected to dress in national colours of red green and gold. A grand cultural extravaganza will be held in Gouyave on the lance on the Friday night, February 5.
On Sunday 7, Independence Day, the military parade and cultural display will be held at the National sStadium. The Made in Grenada Expo will be a feature of the celebrations, and the event is expected to end with a grand cultural show, showcasing some of Grenada’s best talents. Celebrations are expected to continue into Sunday, 8 February with the Prime Minister’s luncheon for the elderly, and the St Paul’s Independence Extravaganza.
The Chairman of this year’s celebration, Ms Ann Marie Marecheau is anticipating a grand celebration, and has made the appeal to all citizens to participate in all the activities as the nation celebrates 42 years of our glorious independence, under the theme “Striving Towards Our Destiny with Faith and Courage as One People”.
