Jamaica 50th – Atlanta Planning Committee, Inc. Under the Patronage of Jamaica’s
Honorary Consul to Atlanta, Vin Martin, Esq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Vin Martin: 404-297-7696 E-mail: info@jamaicajubileeatlanta.org

January 9, 2012

Atlanta Gears Up for Jamaica 50th with Launch by Ambassador Audrey P. Marks

Jamaicans residing in the state of Georgia will celebrate their country’s 50th anniversary with a year-long series of activities. The activities will kick off with a launch ceremony at the Atlanta City Hall on January 22, 2012 at which time Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency, Audrey P. Marks will declare the events open. The newly created website will also be launched on this day.

The activities are being planned by the Jamaica 50th – Atlanta Planning Committee under the patronage of the Jamaican Honorary Consul, Vin Martin. These events include:

March 31 – International Association of Caribbean Organizations (IACO) Event – Global Fusion event at Oglethorpe University Lupton Auditorium
April (TBA) – A Play featuring several well-known Jamaican actors
May 12 – Sports Day with cricket, soccer, netball and other activities for the whole family
June 3 – Georgia Caribbean-American Heritage Coalition opening ceremonies to kick off the month long celebrations featuring Jamaica and its people and culture
(TBA) – National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica is Jamaica’s premier dance troupe and comes to perform as part of the celebrations here in Atlanta
August 4 – Jamaica Day is a family Fun Day with music featuring well-know Jamaican artists, games and lots of food for the whole family
August 5 – Ecumenical and Thanksgiving Service starts the Jamaican week of Independence with a service of praise and blessing
August 6 – Flag Raising Ceremony takes place in downtown Atlanta at City Hall
August 18 – Independence Ball is hosted annually by the Atlanta-Jamaican Association and will feature a noted Jamaican as guest speaker
September 2 – Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival hosted by Glen Simmonds Events at Panthersville Stadium
October 27 – Heroes Day event to commemorate Jamaica’s National Heroes

Other events being endorsed by the Committee for the year includes a presentation by A Fashion Affair Inc of "FASHION CABARET 2012" Celebrating 50 Years of Culture and Independence on April 29, 2012 and Jamaica’s participation in the annual Caribbean Carnival on the Memorial Day weekend featuring the first-class Reggaelypso group doing it “One More Time”.

According to Mr. Martin, the events are being planned under the national theme “Feel the Heart and Soul of a Nation”. States Honorary Consul, Vin Martin, “Atlanta has a large Jamaican population and it is our goal to present a well-rounded, entertaining and culturally pleasing round of events that everyone can participate in and celebrate with us our wonderful homeland that has given us so much and still means a lot to us here in the United States”. The committee, with the blessing of the Ambassador, is encouraging all organizations and businesses to participate fully to ensure that the activities are well executed and financed.

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