A thousand unemployed Caymanians are set to receive one free ticket each for Cayman Thanksgiving festivities (29 – 30 November 2013) through the National Workforce Development Agency (NWDA)

Minister of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs (EE&GA), Hon. Tara Rivers, and Samuel Rose, event organizer made the announcement today, Wednesday, 20 November 2013.

Cayman Thanksgiving is a weekend-long celebration that honours the Cayman Islands’ heritage and culture.  A Homecoming Concert will take place at the Agricultural Pavilion in Lower Valley on Friday, 29 November. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks begin at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, 30 November there will be a Mini-Agricultural Show & Family Fun Day from 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Lois Kellyman, Manager Employment Relations at NWDA will make the tickets available on a first come, first served basis to unemployed Caymanians who are registered at the agency.

For more information or to pick up tickets, persons can visit NWDA on the second floor of Midtown Plaza from today through until Friday, 29 November, between the hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

“The Ministry of Employment is grateful for the very generous donation of tickets to be given to unemployed persons who are registered with the NWDA. This will help to provide an opportunity for all Caymanians to participate and enjoy Cayman Thanksgiving regardless of their socioeconomic situation; reflecting the true spirit of ‘Caymankind’ and Cayman Thanksgiving,” said Minister Rivers.

On Sunday, 1 December, organisers are inviting churches around the Islands to join in the celebration. They also urge Caymanian families to prepare traditional Caymanian meals using locally grown produce, and to invite non-family members into their homes for fellowship.

Giving thanks has always been a Caymanian tradition, however, Cayman Thanksgiving was developed to strengthen our sense of community, preserve our sense of culture, promote Caymanian cooking, and at the same time to support our local agricultural producers”, explains Mr Rose “Cayman Thanksgiving is an opportunity to unite and to demonstrate care for those in our community who are going through some really tough times.”

Photo credit: GIS

Photo caption: (L to R): Samuel Rose, Hon. Tara Rivers, Orlen Nembhard, Sharna Ferguson, Lois Kellyman, Mary Rodrigues, Chief Officer, Ministry of EE&GA.