GIS has issued the following press release and more photographs on last Saturday’s (26) Diamond Jubilee launch that was hailed a success.

GIS: – With fireworks, awards and celebrations, the grand launch of the local observance of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee last Saturday, 26 May, has been deemed a success, according to Diamond Jubilee Committee Chairperson Mary J. Lawrence, MBE, JP.

The lead-up Diamond Jubilee Torch Run included MLAs, government dignitaries, local athletes and others. It ended with Acting Governor Franz Manderson, Cert. Hon., JP, running the last leg, and lighting the Jubilee Beacon along with Premier the Hon. McKeeva Bush, OBE, JP, at Pedro St. James.

There, a number of persons were presented with The Order of the Cayman Islands Awards. The evening’s celebrations also included local food, skits, and music.

The public is invited to continue to support the Diamond Jubilee events to follow. This weekend, on Saturday 2 June, a Fundraising Lunch for the Cayman Islands

Olympic Team will take place at Camana Bay at 12:30pm. Later on that evening, at 5:00pm, a flotilla of decorated boats will sail in the George Town Harbour, culminating with a fireworks display.

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 ceremonial parade and an international celebration of food and music downtown. The next day (5 June) will see the beginning of the effort to plant 6,000 trees by year-end.

Similar activities are taking place on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

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.