Grand Gala patrons urged to stay cool

With thousands expected to attend the annual Independence Grand Gala on August 6, Jamaicans are being advised to prepare for the hot weather conditions currently being experienced.

"We just want to encourage everybody coming to the Gala, walk with your water [and] hydrate from days before so that you can sustain [yourselves]," said Lenford Salmon, executive director of Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) 'Think Tank' at the agency's head office in Kingston. The Grand Gala will take place at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Salmon noted that while the sun will not be out at 5:30 p.m., at the start of the Gala, "it's still [going to be] hot" and, as such, persons should take the necessary precautions.

"Come well hydrated. Come prepared for the heat... walk with your portable fan," he emphasised. Salmon informed that the hot weather has also impacted rehearsals for the show.

"Usually, we would have been rehearsing from 10 a.m. straight back [into the evening; however,] we have had to curtail that. Our rehearsals start now at 2 p.m. and we go up until about 7 p.m. or 8 p.m., simply because we don't believe we can keep the kids out in the sun for the entire day," he said.

The Grand Gala is free to the public. However, persons must have a ticket to enter the National Stadium. Individuals who do not have tickets may choose to view the Gala via a big screen that will be set up at the Independence Village next to the National Stadium. The show will also be live on television and streamed on social media.

Salmon also said recreational drone operators are being advised not to fly their devices in the vicinity of the National Stadium during the event. The Grand Gala, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., will feature hundreds of drones forming images above the venue.

Salmon said the flying of drones near the venue, other than those designated for the event, can potentially impede the display, adding that "it poses a danger for everyone, including yourselves (recreational device operators)".

He also appealed to private drone operators who will be attending the Gala, to refrain from sending up their devices to avoid any potential mishap.

Salmon said with some 300 drones designated for the aerial display, any other device sent up "can cause a major accident".

Additionally, the executive director said it is illegal to send up a drone without approval of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority.