In a poignant display of community resilience, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) hosted a deliberately scaled-back Christmas tree lighting ceremony at St William Grant Park on Tuesday evening. The event, traditionally marked by grand celebrations, instead carried a profound message of solidarity with communities still recovering from Hurricane Melissa’s recent devastation.
While attendance numbers showed a noticeable decrease from previous years, the atmosphere remained charged with genuine holiday spirit. The program featured heartfelt performances from local talent, including the LAUD Dance Ministry and Denham Town Dance Academy. The evening’s standout moment emerged unexpectedly when Ardenne High School student Jovanni Richards delivered a soul-stirring rendition of Jimmy Cliff’s ‘Many Rivers to Cross,’ prompting thunderous applause and multiple encores.
Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby addressed the gathered crowd with a sobering yet hopeful message. ‘We cannot pretend that things are normal everywhere,’ Swaby stated, explaining the decision to scale back festivities. ‘Families are rebuilding and some communities are still trying to get back on their feet. This year’s event was scaled down because we stand in full solidarity with every parish and household still recovering.’
The mayor emphasized that despite the modified celebrations, the Christmas tree would ‘shine with purpose as a symbol of hope to every Jamaican.’ The ceremony culminated in the collective countdown and lighting of the central tree, followed by musical performances featuring reggae, ska, and gospel selections from artists Dwight Richards and Nazzle Man.
Organizers expressed particular satisfaction with the community turnout given minimal publicity efforts, viewing the attendance as testament to Jamaica’s unwavering resilience during challenging times. The event successfully balanced holiday cheer with appropriate sensitivity, demonstrating how public celebrations can adapt to reflect community needs during periods of recovery.