Miss Jamaica World 2007, Yendi Phillipps, was among the beauties who participated in the parade
Forty- six years ago, Junior Garricks took part in the relay to pass the new Jamaican flag across the island. He was just 14 years old and was a part of the group that was asked to take the flag from Three Miles to Six Miles.
The return of the Festival Float Parade yesterday was of special significance to Garricks who told THE STAR that he came to the Half- Way Tree Square just to see the parade go by. He said: " Mi glad it come back. It will bring di people dem back together. Wi come a long way, but we too divided, man."
Thousands of Jamaicans assembled along the route of the parade which started at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre and made its way across town along Hope Road to Half-Way Tree Square, then to Oxford Road, Tom Redcam Avenue and finally, to the intersection of Arthur Wint Drive and Roosevelt Avenue.
Well -coordinated paradeThe well -coordinated parade included 10 beautifully designed floats paying tribute to various aspects of our culture. The Passa Passa float paid homage to our dancehall culture, while the Olympic Dream float was designed in honour of our athletes competing in Beijing. Also showcased in the parade were eight spectacular costumed groups. There was a sea of colour as the various themes could be easily identified.
Even before the parade began making its way down Hope Road and into the busy Half- Way Tree area, thousands of people lined the streets in anticipation. Parents had their hands full trying to contain obviously excited children who ventured into the road hoping to get a glimpse of what was to come.
Vendors capitalised on the huge crowd that descended on the area and offered everything from food to toys and the item of the day, the Jamaican flag. One such vendor, Janet, told THE STAR that things were going well.
Janet Jackson- Dale did not miss the opportunity to debut her custom-made Jamaican dress and her daughter, Ashley, was also fittingly attired in a black, green and gold dress. She told THE STAR: "I had them made in case there was any occasion. It's the first time for me and I wanted my daughter to experience the floats and everything."
APPRECIATIVE CROWDAs the parade made its way through the crowd, those in attendance were clearly appreciative. While children ran from the Jonkanoo characters, especially the devil, who took pleasure in scaring them, the adults rocked to the pulsating beats of popular festival songs. The atmosphere was reminiscent of the yearly carnival parade, only this was an event that was truly Jamaican.
It was clear that a lot of thought and effort had gone into the design of the floats and costumes and most were effective in creatively reflecting the various aspects of our culture.
There was no doubt that the effort to revive the parade was appreciated by everyone.
This group provided much humour for those who turned out to see the parade.
New York resident, Hope Richards, who came to the island for Independence, told THE STAR: "As a child, this is what we were used to. This existed long before carnival. It was lovely and I've been yearning for it. I think it's a good move to have it back. It will lift the people's spirits again."
Another woman said: "Oh, it's so pretty. I came all the way from St. Thomas to be apart of this. I feel so alive and festive. it was well organised and I appreciate that."
Overall, the police said that there were no major reports of incidents during the parade.
Janet Jackson - Dale and her daughter Ashley, were fully decked out in the Jamaican colours and at right a vendor shows off her wares during the parade. norman grindley photos
Quite fittingly, this group paid tribute to our athletes competing in the Beijing Olympics.
The 'devil' attempted to scare this little girl. From all accounts, however, she was not fazed
The marching bands provided their own brand
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