The St. James Municipal Corporation has announced plans for the staging of the Spirit of Independence Awards Civic and Awards ceremony on Monday August 07, 2023 in Sam Sharpe Square.
Jamaica’s Independence is celebrated annually on August 6. However, given that the date falls on a Sunday, the celebrations are being moved forward to Monday August 7.
In announcing the Spirit of Independence Civic and Awards Ceremony, Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Leeroy Williams said at this event, the Corporation will continue to honour and recognize outstanding individuals and institutions from across the parish.
Mayor Williams said “a major part of the ceremony will be the Corporation’s recognition of outstanding individuals and institutions which have contributed and continue to continue to nation building. We have several persons and institutions in this great parish who have made significant contributions toward nation building and we will be seeking out the best of the best this year”.
The categories in which awards will be presented include National Security, Commerce & Industry, Education, Journalism/Media, Agriculture, Sports, Tourism, Arts & Culture, Health and Community Service Mayor Williams added that “we will have the usual pomp and pageantry to include a marching band at the start of the ceremony, a march pass by uniformed groups and an inspection of the guard of honour by the Custos of the parish of St. James, Bishop the Hon. Conrad Pitkin.”
He stated that “this year’s celebrations come as the nation closes Jamaica 60 celebrations. However, the activities to mark the nation’s 61st anniversary as an independent nation will be of the same high quality that everyone has come to experience over the years. I have mandated members of the Spirit of Independence awards committee to ensure that persons and or institutions selected are beyond question and that the high quality and great integrity of the awards be protected”.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Civic and Community Affairs Committee at the St. James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Dwight Crawford said the awards ceremony will be a grand affair.
He said “the planning committee has started its work very early this year with a clear mandate to make the event the best ever. We are looking forward to a great group of citizens being nominated and ultimately honoured with the Spirit of Independence Awards and that the entire ceremony be of the highest order”.
Nomination forms for the Spirit of Independence Awards can be collected from the St. James Municipal Corporation’s Public Relations Offices and must be properly completed and returned to that office no later than Friday July 14, 2023 at 12 noon. All nomination forms must be submitted with a detailed profile of the nominee. The Nomination and Selection Committee is advising that no late submissions will be accepted.
The Flag raising ceremony which takes place just before the ceremony starts will be under the watchful eyes of Custos of St. James, Bishop Conrad Pitkin.