Portland Jerk Festival Launched

The 10th Portland Jerk Festival was launched at the Folly Lighthouse Gardens, in Port Antonio, on May 21.

This festival is, by far, the most anticipated event to take place in Portland, and is among the most popular major calendar events in the country. It will be held on Sunday, July 5, at the Folly Ruins in Port Antonio, under the theme: 'Origins of Jerk', and will feature over 20 authentic jerk chefs, who will prepare a variety of meats and vegetables for the occasion.

The event will commence at 10:00 a.m., and entrance charges are $800 for adults and $300 for children.

Among the organisations partnering with the Portland Jerk Festival Committee to stage the event are Honey Bun, Supreme Ventures, Jamaica Broilers, Portland Jerk Seasonings, Main Events Entertainment Group, Wisynco, Kingston Hireage and Stitch Stuff.

Entertainment for the occasion will feature a combination of popular artistes, including Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Queen Ifrica, Judy Mowatt, Tony Rebel, and Leroy Gibbons and a Kiddies Village for children.

Addressing the launch, Chief Executive Officer of the Portland Jerk Festival, Kasey Bourne, said the festival is being organised as an important part of a new and significant concept known as the Portland Jerk Experience. He explained that just as how Portland offers a tourism product through its many natural attractions, the Portland Jerk Experience will be another major visitor appeal.

He noted that the festival is a celebration of reggae music and jerked products, which are two unique features of Jamaican culture, and asserted that there is no better place to have such an event than the parish where jerk originated, and tourism was formally born in Jamaica.

Mr. Bourne expressed gratitude to all the persons and organisations which provided support for the festival, and exhorted persons in the parish, to play their part to make the event a success.
Also addressing the function were Custos of Portland, Roy Thompson and Member of Parliament for Eastern Portland, Dr. Donald Rhodd.

Describing the festival as part of a strategic plan to promote Portland economically and socially, Dr. Rhodd said it has created a special place for agriculture in the parish.