Port Antonio: Jerk lovers will have to wait until July 17, 2005 to enjoy this year's annual festival, as inclement weather has forced the organisers of the sixth staging of the Pepsi Portland Jerk Festival to reschedule the event.

Yesterday, Colin Bell, the organisers' public relations officer and entertainment co-ordinator confirmed that the rain-dampened festivities would not proceed today, and that it would be held at a later date.

"The committee met this morning and decided due to the inclement weather the festival is off until July 17, 2005. Fans should expect the same package as the two show bands - Byron Lee and the Dragonaries and Fabulous Five - will be back, and entertainers Admiral Bailey and Assassin who we have already contacted have confirmed for the new date. We are working assiduously to confirm the others," a confident Bell disclosed.

Many vendors already started preparations, and a number of stalls had been erected along the main thoroughfare in preparation for the festival.

Over the past 24 hours, Portland, home parish of the Jerk Festival has been lashed with continuous rain, aggravated by sometimes heavy downpours and cases of flooding on some main roads.

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