KSAMC aims to send positive message with tree-lighting ceremony
Published:Monday | December 18, 2023 | 12:06 AMShanel Lemmie/Staff Reporter
Continuing the goodwill for a second consecutive post-pandemic year, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation celebrated with a packed venue for last Thursday’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the St William Grant Park, downtown Kingston.
Dressed like a corporate Santa Claus, Mayor Delroy Williams said that post-pandemic, that was one of the ceremonies he was most proud of returning to.
“The return to these festivities and this event after the pandemic ... that was important to me, to see persons come out and support the event,” Williams stated.
“I am a fan of critical messages. The message of sharing and offering service to your fellowmen is a message that I find we have to instil in our nation and in our young people. The festive season gives us that opportunity and we have to seize the opportunity; and therefore, we look forward to it primarily because of the message embedded,” the mayor added.
Miss Kingston and St Andrew Festival Queen 2023, Jhanielle Powell, said that although it was her first time attending the event, she was impressed with both the turnout and the execution.
“I’m impressed with the turnout most all. It’s good to see communities and people coming together to enjoy something; and I like the fact that the municipality has put this on and created the space for people to come together and enjoy themselves,” Powell told The Gleaner.
With hardly any space to walk among the crowd, the mayor led a procession, including the festival queen and other stakeholders, to light the tree.
Illuminating the once-dark park at 8:04 p.m., the subsequent spectacle of fireworks alighted the joy of children near and far.
“I’m looking and I’m not seeing any empty spaces,” said a delighted Mayor Williams. “I’m seeing lots of people, and a lot of children. I must say [that] this is a good sign. It says a lot, and it’s important to us because we always want our children to understand the role they play in building a strong nation, but also the importance of a strong nation.”
Ahead of leaving to enjoy the creative displays put on by local talent, Williams urged the residents of the municipality to “continue during the festive season [and] beyond to give, to share, to offer service, to pay attention to vulnerable groups like the homeless, senior citizens and other groups within our society; and give of themselves and transmit those values to future generations”.
Short-lived due to inclement weather, the concert should have included performances from Ding Dong, Dancing Rebel, 450 and a host of other artistes. The crowd, however, was delighted by the presence of Miss Kitty and DJ Shukklebus, alongside two homegrown entertainers.