By Lincoln DePradine

Grenadians are preparing for two days of activities that will include the presence in Toronto of a Grenada government minister.

“The Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Creative Economy will be here with us. That’s breaking news; I just spoke to him,” Gerry Hopkin, consul general for Grenada, told The Caribbean Camera Tuesday evening.

The minister, to whom Hopkin referred, is Senator Adrian Thomas, who will be in the city for annual “Grenada Day” activities.

A former interim leader of the National Democratic Congress, Thomas was appointed to the Upper House of Parliament by Prime Minister Dickon A. Mitchell after the party won Grenada’s general election in 2022.

Grenada Day, presented by the Grenada Day Cultural Association (GDCA) in collaboration with the consulate general of Grenada in Toronto, is two days of activities beginning this Friday, August 23.

Friday’s event – starting 5 pm at the headquarters of the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) – is a special forum in which an opportunity will be afforded to meet representatives of Grenada Day 2024 commercial sponsors, including the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) and Ariza Credit Union.

“We’re going to have a presentation at the forum by Ariza and another by GTA. There’s also going to be a carnival display and I’m going to say a little bit about trade,” Hopkin disclosed.

Other businesses that are supporting Grenada Day are going to be mentioned and thanked on Friday at the sponsors’ forum, organizers say.

They describe the annual event as “celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Grenada”, which includes the Grenadine islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

The highlight of the weekend is Saturday, August 24, with a gathering at Coronation Park, 2700 Eglinton Avenue West, in a program of culture, arts, craft, food and drinks, which begins at 12 noon.

“The program, a fitting celebration of our 17th year and the 50th year of Grenada’s independence, commences with an opening ceremony, with free Oildown upon entrance sponsored by the Grenada Tourism Authority,” a GDCA official said. “Our expectation is for a crowd larger than in previous years.”

A parade of culture also forms part of Saturday’s program, with arrangements being made, according to organizers, for a “children’s area”, an “elders’ area”, and as “special guests’ area” that would accommodate dignitaries, including consuls’ general of various countries.

Among the cast of entertainers are four former Calypso Monarchs of Grenada: Black Wizard, King Ajamu, Flying Turkey and Inspector.

The performing artistes will be backed by the renowned Ossie Gurley Band.

More than a cultural celebration, Grenada Day is also “a community event that brings people, of all backgrounds, together to experience the warmth, vibrancy, and spirit of Grenada”, GDCA said. Saturday’s Grenada Day activity culminates with an after-the-event party at the JCA, 995 Arrow Road.