Kingston, Jamaica – The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is reminding the public of the extended deadline of April 17, 2026, for entries for its highly anticipated 2026 cycle of national competitions - Miss Jamaica Festival Queen, Jamaica Festival Song, and Jamaica Gospel Star.
Despite the challenges faced in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which impacted the island in October last year, there has been an overwhelming demonstration of enthusiasm and resilience by Jamaicans across the country. This has also been reflected in the entries already submitted to the JCDC for these three popular, annual competitions.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, The Honourable Olivia Grange OJ, CD, MP, noted that the interest that has been shown for these staples on the annual calendar is indeed heartening and is an indicator of the pride of place that these events have in the hearts of Jamaicans. She noted that, based on the feedback, the decision was taken to extend the call for entries to capture persons who may have been displaced and were not able to meet the previous deadlines.
“The early entries we have received, even in the face of last year’s challenges, demonstrate the resilience and unwavering cultural spirit of our people. These competitions are more than events; they are platforms for national expression and pride. This is a clear answer for those who have ever doubted whether or not we should go ahead with these competitions for 2026. We encourage everyone who wants to enter either the Festival Song, Festival Queen or Gospel Star competitions to take up that opportunity for the 2026 season.”
Minister Grange is encouraging interested individuals to submit their entries using the portal at jcdc.awardsplatform.com. She further noted that the competition’s guidelines are available on the JCDC’s website, at the corporate office, and parish offices islandwide.
“Early submissions are usually a strong indicator of the level of interest that exists out there in the field. So, we are heartened by what we are seeing so far, and to capture anyone who, for whatever reason, may have missed the original deadline. The application process is only online, so make sure you are not left out,” said Minister Grange.
The Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition, a flagship programme of the JCDC, continues to attract young women who embody intelligence, talent, cultural awareness and a passion for community development. With growing interest islandwide, this year’s competition is expected to showcase yet another dynamic group of parish queens who will compete for the national title. Last year’s winner, Brithney Clarke, from Kingston & St Andrew, is currently engaged in executing her project “Read, Speak, Lead” and a public speaking and leadership initiative for young people.
Executive Director of the JCDC, Lenford Salmon, outlined that April 17 is the absolute cutoff date as there will be no further extensions. “After April 17, we cannot accept any further submissions as we need time to administer the competitions. So we encourage all interested persons to get in their entries over the next few days and not wait until the very last minute”.
The Jamaica Festival Song Competition, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, is known for producing some of the nation’s most beloved patriotic and cultural anthems. Over the years, this competition has seen participants who have made significant contributions to the Jamaican entertainment landscape. Similarly, the Jamaica Gospel Star Competition continues to provide a powerful platform for aspiring gospel artistes to share messages of faith, hope, and inspiration.
