MISTY Bliss, the first national event promoting 2002 as the Year of Eco-Tourism and Mountains, was launched on Wednesday at the Penthouse of the Jamaica Tourist Board.

An initiative of the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust (JCDT), and Green Jamaica, the event will be kept on February 24 at the Hollywell Recreational Area in the Blue Mountains and according to its organisers with be a, “refreshing open day and affair.”

Beginning at 10:00 am, Misty Bliss will feature a myriad of activities that promise to be fun-filled and educational for the entire family.

The event is set against the backdrop of a pristine environment, offering relaxation, fresh air and the chance to share in the lifestyles of communities buffering the park.

Throughout the day, there will be displays regarding bio-diversity conservation, environmental education, community conservation and the socio-economic development of buffer zone communities. Photographic displays, posters, video presentations and a three dimensional model of the park will be exhibited to highlight how the natural resources of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park are managed by JCDT/Green Jamaica.

The ‘Market Place’, also expected to be a popular area, will be set up as a centre for selling vegetables, herbs, spices and plants grown at the park. Craft items made from the natural resources of the park and the work of members of the Potters Association will also be available for sale.

A major attraction for the children and even adults will be the ‘Pickney Sinting’ Corner’, where there will be several cultural presentations, story telling games and other interactive activities from students who attended schools located within the park.

For a glimpse of the ancestral memories of a people and quality entertainment, visitors are invited to dance to the pulsating beat of the Kumina drums and sing along, as the hills come alive with the hypnotic rhythms of plantation music.

A wide variety of sumptuous traditional meals such as soups, jerk chicken and pork seasoned and served with the best locally grown staple foods, vegetables, herbs, spices and condiments will be available at the food court.

JTB is working closely with JCDT/Green Jamaica to ensure the success of the event, which coincides with plans to focus on a number of events that promote the United Nations declaration of 2002 as the year of the Mountains.

JCDT/Green Jamaica is a non-government, non-profit environmental organisation that manages the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park and organises annual environmental exposition, Green Expo. JCDT/Green Jamaica is also involved in the Schools for the Environment Programme (SEP) in over 300 schools island-wide.