ORGANISERS of the Ocho Rios Seafood Festival — now scheduled for Sunday, October 14 at the Ocho Rios Cruise Pier in St Ann — are grateful for the massive boost received from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

"We are very grateful to the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, particularly State Minister Ian Hayles, for their support," said Camille Miller, the festival's marketing director.

"Minister Hayles did not hesitate in committing the Ministry's support for our rescheduling effort. He saw that we got rained out in August and was very instrumental in getting us back on our feet where we can now look forward to having an event in October," she continued.

Miller said the minister had a vision for the fishing industry and sees the Ocho Rios Seafood Festival as an important vehicle to showcase the finest in local Jamaican seafood.

The festival, originally slated for August 5, was postponed due to rain associated with Tropical Storm Ernesto. The venue was also shifted

from the Urban Development Corporation-owned Turtle River Park to its current location.

"It will be a seafood festival by the ocean this time around. We have had a long run by the nearby Turtle River Park and feel the time is right to bring the Ocho Rios Seafood Festival to a more intimate and personable setting," Miller said.

Miller added that there will be a lot more activities for the October 14 show, noting that organisers will be working closely with the schools and the St Ann business community.

"This is a community event and the idea here is to get as many local entities involved," she said.

"Already we have met with the board of directors of the St Ann Chamber of Commerce and also with a number of schools in and around St Ann. We will be having a

school and celebrity cook-off as well as a Little Seafood Prince and

Princess Competition."