The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE BUILD-UP to Independence Day celebrations in Grand Bahama start this weekend in various settlements, while the official 42nd Independence celebrations will take place at the Independence Park in Freeport on July 9.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Our Children: Our Future,” and the Grand Bahama Independence Committee hopes that the activities will forge unity between all residents on the island.

A Cultural Extravaganza will be held at 6.30pm on Friday at the public park in High Rock, East Grand Bahama. On Saturday, a march and prayer breakfast will take place in Eight Mile Rock, starting at 7am from the Old Friendship Shopping Centre to the Sea Grape Community Park.

There will be a West End Night and Junkanoo Parade at 6pm on July 3 in West End. A flag raising ceremony will be held at noon at Sweeting’s Cay on July 4.

On July 5, there will be a 3pm church service at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in High Rock, and residents of the Pinder’s Point area will attend a service at the Church of the Good Shepherd at 3pm.

Grand Bahama residents are invited to attend the official Independence Ecumenical Service and Flag raising ceremony that will get underway at 7pm at Independence Park on July 9. On July 10, Goombay Summer Festivities will be launched at 6pm at Taino Beach.

Dr Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama, is encouraging residents to attend the planned festivities. He said that Independence is an important milestone in the country’s history. “The dream of independence began decades ago with a few brave men and women who went against the odds to bring us to Independence and to create opportunities for all Bahamians. Forty-two years later, we are moving forward and onward to a stronger Bahamas,” he said.

The committee has also announced that activities also will be held after Independence, including a youth march and gospel concert. The Anglican Youth Conclave Youth March and Rally is scheduled for Sunday, July 12, starting at 3pm at the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King, and ending at the Bishop Michael Eldon School.

On July 13, a Gospel Independence celebration, “The Canaan Experience,” will take place at the Community at Heart Church on Coral Road at 7.30pm.