The annual Montego Bay mayor’s treat moved to West Central St James this year, with members of the St James Parish Council spreading Yuletide joy to dozens of children.

Mayor Hugh Solomon, his deputy Gerard Mitchell, councillor for the area, Michael Troupe, as well as councillor for the Welcome Hall Division, Phylene Wilson, were on hand to help the children celebrate.

From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, the kids played on the bounce-about erected on the grounds of the Granville All-Age School and participated in contests and received prizes and surprises.

“The presents were mainly school supplies,” Solomon told the Observer as he kept a watchful eye on the stage as a young girl happily collected her prize.

He said the treat had cost about $200,000 to stage, and much of the expenses were defrayed by a number of local businesses that donated prizes and supplies.

The treat is moved to a different constituency each year in an attempt to ensure that a wide cross section of children get a chance to participate.

Councillor Troupe charged that this year’s treat was one of the best he had ever seen.

“We have more gifts for the kids, and we have less adults here haggling over the distribution of the presents,” he said. “It is also the biggest treat we have had, with more kids here than usual.”