This year will mark 38 years of independence for The Bahamas and celebrations will be held under the theme, "United in Love and Service."

"If ever a time Grand Bahamians, Grand Bahama and The Bahamas needs to be united in love and service is now where it is talking about loving your neighbor, doing good," said Island Administrator Angela Pratt-Rolle.

At a press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday she announced the list of events leading up to the big celebration.

On Saturday, July 2 celebrations begin with the Fit Nation Fun Walk/Anything on Wheels Health Screening. The event will begin at the Torii Gate in the International Bazaar at 7:00 a.m.

Also scheduled the same day is the Independence Basketball Tournament at the Eight Mile Rock High School and Jack Hayward High School gymnasiums.

At 7:00 p.m. "Voices" an Evening of Artistic Expression will be held at the Garden of the Groves.

On Sunday July 3, at 4:00 p.m. and Ecumenical Church Service will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church in High Rock.

"I want to say for this church service we are asking everyone from the West to head up to the East. This is going to be a very special service where we will be asking God's guidance and His protection on the nation," Pratt-Rolle said.

The One God, One People, One Bahamas Concert will take place on Tuesday, July 5 at Community at Heart Church on Coral Road.

The Ministry of Tourism's Junkanoo Summer Festival will begin its three-week run on Thursday, July 7 from 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. on Taino Beach.

Headlining the event will be Bahamian recording artist Stileet along with performances from Raquel Oliver, the Royal Bahamas Police Force Marching Band and other entertainers.

On Friday, July 8 National Pride Day/T-Shirt Day will be celebrated and the public is asked to wear and display the national colors.

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce will also host the best Decorated Home and Business.

At 6:00 p.m. on the same day at the High Rock Community Park and at Sunset Village in Eight Mile Rock the Cultural Evening will take place.

"The East and the West will be having activities where you can move from the East to the West and from the West to the East. It will not be a dull moment. There will be activities and attractions so we are asking everyone young and old to celebrate in the East and also in the West," Pratt-Rolle said.

The largest event, the Bahamian Cultural Extravaganza will be held at Independence Park at 8:30 p.m. on July 9.

Entertainment will include an inspection, a march pass, flag raising, concert and fireworks.

"Here in Grand Bahama we are always known as the island that knows how to put off special events and so we want to show The Bahamas how to do it," Pratt-Rolle said.

On Monday July 11, independence celebrations will culminate with a float parade on the Mall Drive.

"We are inviting the public to all of these activities beginning from of July 2 through the 11th of July. These activities were planned with the public in mind and so we are asking everyone to make an effort to attend these functions," Pratt-Rolle said.

(photo: The Freeport News)

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