Jamaica’s 13th Independence anniversary culminated in a vibrant display of culture, colour, and national pride at the National Stadium. Thousands gathered for the Grand Gala, which featured a dazzling parade, energetic performances, and the crowning of the first Festival Queen under the reimagined contest. Despite afternoon rain, the festivities continued in true Jamaican spirit, celebrating the island’s heritage, creativity, and unity.

Published Tuesday, August 5, 1975

Queen crowned …

- Grand Gala wraps up festival  

UNDIMMED by the threat of rain in the early afternoon, the excitement of Festival bubbled into a grand crescendo at the National Stadium in Kingston yesterday evening, ending the three-day spectacular marking the island's 13th year of Independence.
At the end of a kaleidoscopic parade of colour and creativity —  celebrating national endeavour and talent —the Grand Gala at the Stadium concluded with an outpouring of overflowing exuberance from thousands who flocked the field in a spontaneous display of emotion.

The Chinese Benevolent Society's group walked away with the top prize once again, along with a cash award of $400. The Best John Canoe Group prize was awarded to the group from Lionel Town.

Twenty-five-year-old teacher Lydia Alethia Malcolm, representing Clarendon, became the first Festival Queen in the newly revamped contest that replaced the controversial Miss Jamaica beauty pageant.

The emphasis this year shifted from beauty to qualities exemplifying the positive attributes of Jamaican womanhood. Miss Malcolm, who also won the prize for Communication Involvement, gained the judges' favour over 10 other contestants in a tribute to rural Jamaican womanhood.

Vanished
But with the absence of swimsuit segments and similar pageantry, much of the usual speculation and excitement vanished, leading to a noticeably cooler reception.
Rain along the parade route during the afternoon sent the colourful crowds scurrying for shelter under trees and bus sheds. However, after 15 minutes, the sun weakly emerged from behind the clouds, eventually blossoming into typical Jamaican brilliance.

This year, the parade placed special emphasis on youth in action, education, religion, and other aspects of Jamaican heritage, featuring participants both young and old.
The first runner-up in the Festival Queen Contest was 21-year-old Pamela Alvaranga, the St. Elizabeth Festival Queen. Second runner-up was Merva Grier, a student and National Youth Service worker from Kingston.

Best Personality went to Pamela Alvaranga. The Esso Standard Award for Communication Skills and General Knowledge was awarded to Maxine Joy Williams of St. Thomas, while the Ammar’s Award for the Most Talented Contestant went to Merva Grier.

The street parade included steel bands, costumed groups, John Kunu performers from as far south as St. Elizabeth and as far east as St. Thomas and Lionel Town in Clarendon, mento bands (most of which also participated in the Mento Competition at the Ward Theatre earlier in the day), clowns, and creative effigies.

The parade also featured the debut of effigies depicting the Governor-General, the Most Honourable Florizel Glasspole; Prime Minister the Hon. Michael Manley; and other members of the Government.

Before the Festival Queen was crowned, there was a vibrant cultural display. Among the highlights were 1,000 young people performing a hula hoop dance, 200 dancers performing the quadrille, and 500 Festival folk singers and dancers. These acts delighted the capacity audience, which included the Prime Minister and Mrs. Manley, the Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica, other Government officials, and KSAC councillors.
Following the crowning of the nation’s newest Queen — greeted by thunderous applause — musical selections were performed by the Generation Gap Band, the Band of the First Battalion Jamaica Regiment, and the Wanderers Steel Band.
During this time, the Queen took a victory ride around the stadium cycle track to rapturous applause and was later escorted to the Royal Box, where she met the Prime Minister and was introduced to Mrs. Manley. There, along with the other parish queens, she watched the grand finale of the parade.

The first float to appear was from the group "Out of Many, One People," depicting the essence of Jamaican society. It was followed by a float titled "Moses Leading the Children of Israel Across the Red Sea."

Next came a salute to the nation’s women in sport, featuring students from Merle Grove High School. The Haile Selassie Secondary School followed with a float celebrating the development of education in Jamaica. This float began with the era of slavery, moved through the emancipation period, the nation’s coming of age, a new deal in education, and looked towards a future where Jamaica had reached the peak of its development, with everyone working together to build the nation.

Another float from the JAMAL Foundation highlighted the importance of education, depicting freedom through learning.

Other floats showcased national foods, Friendly Societies (led by the Jamaica Excelsior Society), the Chinese Benevolent Society, and many others, including uniformed groups from Trench Town and Tivoli Gardens.

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.