By Dexter Mitchell CEO Grenada Cultural Foundation Independence Celebrations 2010 culminated this weekend on a very high note with a splendid display of patriotism at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium on Sunday, preceded by an equally impressive cultural extravaganza on Saturday in the town of Grenville. Last Tuesday saw the second installment of the Spices Dance Company Independence celebrations in the Parish of St. John. Among the highlights were the tasty dishes of local food, the games of yesteryear and a group of youngsters from Gouyave making their debut as Moko-jumbies. On Wednesday the Sister Isle of Petit Martinique celebrated, while the major festivities in Carriacou took place on Thursday. Both islands were graced with the presence of the Governor General, Sir Carlyle Glean, the Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas the Minister of Carriacou and Petit Martinique Affairs Sen. George Prime and the Parliamentary Representative of Carriacou and Petit Martinique Hon. Elvin Nimrod. The Royal Grenada Police Force band was also in attendance at both locations enhancing the festivities that included the big drum dancing in addition to the formalities. Friday was National Dish and Colors Day and as has become the norm Grenadians chose to fervently display their national pride in a variety of creative ways. That creativity was most noticeable at the various Ministries as the workers there attempted to outdo each other through color, decorations and culinary delights. Schools around the island also paid tribute to Grenada through national colors on Friday. Touted as the biggest showcase of Grenadian culture, the Independence fiesta certainly did not disappoint. From the flambeau march to the Back in Time band, producer Ricardo Keens Douglas captured the true essence of culture in Grenada on Saturday evening. Accolades to the Royal Grenada Police Force for a superb job in ensuring the event was peaceful and the traffic flowed as smoothly as the confines of the town of Grenville would allow. Again the Royal Grenada Police Force must be commended for the outstanding show put on Sunday at the Military Parade, along with the other departments, cadets etc. The precision of the drills and the impeccable timing was certainly entertaining and a great build up to the thrills to be provided later by the Paratroopers from Venezuela. Even with the strong winds the Paratroopers disabled stunning ability and strength to complete the jumps and provide the thousands in attendance breath-taking moments of agility. The general sentiments about the celebrations of the 36th anniversary of Independence are encouraging and it is the hope of the Grenada Cultural Foundation that issues of national pride and respect and love of Country did not fade away with the setting of the sun on Sunday February 7th.