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Celebrate good times!

Published:Sunday | July 14, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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Consul general of Ecuador Clelia Barreto de Hunter (left) with her daughter, Clemencia Falla (centre), and granddaughter Shanique.
Dressed in patriotic colours (red, white and blue), United States ambassador to Jamaica Pamela Bridgewater, escorted by Acting Detachment Commander Ryan Rath, leads the march to officially start the embassy's July 4 celebrations.
The splendour that is the parade of colours marks the start of the July 4 celebration.
United States Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater and Peter Bunting, minister of national security, raise their glasses in a toast to the United States.
It's a fun exchange between (from left) Kenny Benjamin, India high commissioner to Jamaica Pratap Singh, and Resident Representative (UNDP) Arun Kashyap.
Allison Peart gives a listening ear to former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.
Though there were no fireworks, the laser light show by LaserTech out of Miami was just as impressive.
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The Bank of Jamaica auditorium at Nethersole Place in downtown Kingston was bathed in a sea of red, white and blue. Celebrating 237 years of Independence is no easy feat and the United States (US) ambassador to Jamaica, Pamela Bridgewater, and her team, pulled out all the stops.

Looking quite smashing in a very patriotic red, white and blue dress, the ambassador was at the door to great each of her specially invited guests to her July 4 celebrations.

No celebration starts off right without a word of prayer, and when your husband is a reverend, a good prayer is always close at hand. Reverend Russell Awkard began the proceedings.

After prayer, you could hear a pin drop, as everyone in attendance was enthralled by the parade of colours. The national anthems of both Jamaica and the United States were then performed by the Jamaican Folk Singers.

There was no denying how deeply intertwined both countries were as Ambassador Bridgewater spoke of the collaborations the US has maintained with Jamaica over the years in various areas, and the new ones that were formed - from the environment to the lottery scam.

But the evening was all about a culinary tour of the US - no visa required. Everyone present was issued a Tasting Tour Passport, and the only luggage needed was an adventurous palate. From the Maryland crab cakes of the East Coast, to the shrimp ceviche of the South West and crayfish étouffée of the Gulf Coast, it was a celebration of the US' many tastes. This went nicely with Californian wines and beverages.

Though there were no fireworks, LaserTech from Miami did not disappoint with a spectacular laser show. The Bank of Jamaica tower provided the perfect centre stage for the birthday celebration, for the American bald eagle to take flight and for the Statue of Liberty to stand proud.

Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer