New York, January 29: Education will be the main focus of activities on Saturday, January 31, marking the start of celebrations in New York to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Independence of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Saturday's activities, organized by the Grenada Independence Anniversary Committee in collaboration with the Consulate General of Grenada in New York, commence with a 10 AM Health Fair, with a second event – a Youth Fest – starting at 4 PM. Both events will be held at St. Gregory the Great Parish School, 991 St. Johns Pl., Brooklyn. Health Fair coordinator, Dr. Barbara Gordon, said "quality information'' on a variety of issues will be provided to Grenadians in New York on Saturday. "We want to make it educational,'' she said. "We aim to educate the Grenadian community about common ailments such as diabetes and hypertension. We will also be doing some dental care and HIV testing.'' Dr. Gordon, who recently started her own obstetrics and gynaecology practice in Brooklyn, said all the attending nurses and doctors, including a cardio-vascular specialist, will be Grenadians. An added bonus, she said, will be professionals from the broader New York society, such as representatives from the city's Fire Department. "They'll be there to talk about fire safety and to distribute smoke detectors,'' Dr. Gordon said. "We are trying to make the fair not just educational but diversified as well.'' Other aspects of the diversity of the Fair will be the presence of a lawyer to discuss living wills and a psychologist, who will speak on depression and anxiety. Educator Jean Taylor, chairperson of the Youth Fest, said it's primarily aimed at young people from ages nine to 17, as well as their parents. She said groups of young people, most of them born in the United States to Grenadian parents, will be showcasing Grenada in fashion, song, dance and poetry. Some will also present a skit. "There will also be two teams participating in a general knowledge competition,'' Taylor revealed. "In addition, seven young ladies, each representing a parish – including Carriacou and Petite Martinique – have been asked to do some research and present a short biography of the parishes.'' Taylor described the Youth Fest as a "learning situation,'' with the expectation that the young people will develop a "spirit of togetherness'' and a "better understanding of our beloved country.'' Other events on the calendar of activities of the New York Independence Anniversary Committee includes a February 1 Ecumenical Church Service of Thanksgiving, which will feature Bishop Vincent Darius of Grenada. Activities continue through the first week of the month, culminating on February 7 with an Independence Gala and Awards Ceremony at Antuns, 96-43 Springfield Blvd., Queens Village. INSIDE GRENADA NEWS