The grand launch of the local observance of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee took place last Saturday (26) at Pedro St. James. The public was invited and participated in the many exciting events that took place.

The Diamond Jubilee Torch Run kicked off at 3:00p.m. and, at the same time,

Premier the Hon. McKeeva Bush, OBE, JP, started from West Bay’s Emily (Teacher) Redley Powery Library and Learning Centre; whilst North Side MLA Ezzard Miller, JP, journeyed from the Craddock Ebanks Civic Centre.

Other runners progressed along the Queen’s Highway, East End and Bodden Town. The entire race included MLAs, government dignitaries, local athletes and others across the Cayman Islands.

The final leg was run by Acting Governor Franz Manderson, Cert. Hon., JP, who lit the Jubilee Beacon at Pedro St. James around 6:00pm.

There, the programme also included the presentation of The Order of the Cayman Islands Awards, where a number of persons received Medals of Honour, Medals of Merit and Long Service Awards.

The Saturday evening celebrations at the historic site continued with local foods and an evening packed with cultural expressions – including music from Swanky Kitchen Band, Cayman Folk Singers and others. It culminated with a fantastic display of fireworks.

In a GIS Release they report that events the following weekend will include, on Saturday, 2 June, a Camana Bay fund-raising lunch for the Cayman Islands Olympic Team, a flotilla of decorated boats at 5:00p.m and end with a display of fireworks in George Town Harbour.

On Saturday and Sunday (2 & 3 June) church services will be held island-wide, with a special Thanksgiving Service at Elmslie Memorial Church at 4:00p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Then, on the holiday Monday, 4 June, there will be a parade and international celebration downtown. The next day (5 June) will see the beginning of the effort to plant 6,000 trees by year-end.  After the summer break there will also be a student essay competition.

Similar activities will take place on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

“Everyone is invited to join in celebrating the past six decades of Her Majesty’s reign,” said Diamond Jubilee Committee Chairperson Mary J. Lawrence, MBE, JP.

Connecting Cultures is the theme for the Jubilee festivities locally, and throughout the Commonwealth. At Her Majesty’s request, the celebratory activities will also focus on young people.

For more information on Cayman’s Diamond Jubilee festivities, as well as events in the UK, visit: www.Facebook.com/CaymanIslandsProtocol; Twitter.com/CaymanProtocol; call 949-9809 or email [email protected]. Also, visit the UK’s official website: www.TheDiamondJubilee.org.

Photos courtesy of GIS