The grand launch of the local observance of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee takes place this Saturday, 26 May at Pedro St. James. The public is invited to participate in the many exciting events that day, and to those follow.

The Diamond Jubilee Torch Run will kick-off at 3:00p.m. on Saturday (26 May).

Simultaneously, Premier the Hon. McKeeva Bush, OBE, JP, starts from West Bay’s Emily (Teacher) Redley Powery Library and Learning Centre; while North Side MLA Ezzard Miller, JP, will journey from the Craddock Ebanks Civic Centre.

Other runners will progress along the Queen’s Highway, East End and Bodden Town. The entire race will include MLAs, government dignitaries, local athletes and others across the Cayman Islands.

The final leg will be run by Acting Governor Franz Manderson, Cert. Hon., JP, who will light the Jubilee Beacon at Pedro St. James around 6:00p.m.

There, the programme will include the presentation of The Order of the Cayman Islands Awards, where a number of persons will receive Medals of Honour, Medals of Merit and Long Service Awards.

“Everyone is invited to join in celebrating the past six decades of Her Majesty’s reign,” said Diamond Jubilee Committee Chairperson Mary J. Lawrence, MBE, JP.

The Saturday evening celebrations at the historic site will continue with local foods and an evening packed with cultural expressions – including music from Swanky Kitchen Band, Cayman Folk Singers and others. It will culminate with a fantastic display of fireworks.

Events the following weekend will include, on Saturday, 2 June, a Camana Bay fund-raising lunch for the Cayman Islands Olympic Team, a flotilla of decorated boats at 5:00p.m and end with a display of fireworks in George Town Harbour.

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 parade and international celebration downtown. The next day (5 June) will see the beginning of the effort to plant 6,000 trees by year-end.  After the summer break there will also be a student essay competition

Similar activities will take place on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

Connecting Cultures is the theme for the Jubilee festivities locally, and throughout the Commonwealth. At Her Majesty’s request, the celebratory activities will also focus on young people.

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.