Two cities in the American state of Iowa will participate in this year’s observance of Jamaica Day set for this Friday (February 23), under the theme ‘Celebrating Jamaica: Authentic and Unique… A Fi Wi TREND A Dweet’.

Several Jamaicans residing in Waterloo and Cedar Falls, along with city officials, have organized activities to coincide with local celebrations. This was disclosed by Marlon Williams, Jamaica Day planning committee chair and senior education officer in the Ministry of Education and Youth’s Core Curriculum Unit.

Williams explained that the engagements being undertaken by the two cities in the United States will represent a historic moment for the island. He noted that although Jamaicans in the diaspora have, over the years, been observing Jamaica Day, this is the first time any city outside of the country will do so formally.

The Jamaica Day National Civic ceremony will be held at William Knibb High School in Trelawny, the featured local educational institution. Other slated activities include displays and cultural entertainment, with the highlight being the naming of Olympian Usain Bolt as ‘Culture Icon’ for 2024.

US cities to host civic ceremonies

Cedar Falls and Waterloo will also host civic ceremonies during which Proclamations will be read declaring that the last Friday in February be observed annually as Jamaica Day. Additionally, both cities will have wide-ranging Jamaican culture on display.

A simulcast of the ceremonies is scheduled for 10:00 am and will be live-streamed on the YouTube channel and Facebook pages of the Education Ministry and Jamaica Information Service (JIS).

Williams is encouraging Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora to join in the celebrations by wearing the national colours black, green and gold, or bandana on the day.

He is also encouraging persons to visit schools in their communities and be a part of their celebrations. The ministries of education and culture, in tandem with the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) will jointly spearhead the Jamaica Day 2024 celebrations.

“Jamaica Day provides an opportunity for schools and the wider community to come together and showcase the diversity and individuality that make Jamaicans so special,” said Williams, addressing a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on February 15.

In 2011, Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen proclaimed that Jamaica Day be celebrated annually on the last Friday of February, unless there are adverse circumstances.