The celebration came five days early, but the US Embassy in Jamaica surpassed expectations with a Hollywood-themed observation of America’s 247th anniversary of Independence on Friday evening at the mission in Liguanea, St Andrew.

Welcoming guests “to the Oscars”, US Ambassador to Jamaica Nick Perry highlighted Washington’s long-standing relationship with Kingston, pointing to assistance in the areas of national security; combating the smuggling of guns, humans, and drugs; sexual and reproductive health services; promoting US investments and exports.

“Today we not only celebrate America’s Independence, we also reaffirm the enduring bilateral relationship that unites our two nations,” said Perry, who is the first Jamaican-born diplomat to serve as America’s chief envoy in Jamaica.

“Most of you here this evening are aware that I was ‘Made in Jamaica’,” he said, eliciting laughter which extend on his singing the first line of Pluto Shervington’s I Man Born Ya, but I stand here before you now as US ambassador, representative of the president of the United States of America Joe Biden and the American people. I’m proud and honoured to have this opportunity to participate in America’s robust efforts to build and strengthen our bonds of friendship through the creation of opportunities for the prosperity of our countries.”

Before the formalities the Jamaica Military Band kept the theme alive with music from a range of movies.

Veteran Jamaican singer Marcia Griffiths, the featured performer, entertained with many of her hits and, of course, got guests dancing to her iconic Electric Boogie.

America’s official Independence Day is July 4.