Thousands flock Nyammins and Jammins
WESTERN BUREAU — More than 14,000 patrons attended the third staging of the St James 4-H Parish Advisory Council’s Nyammins and Jammins festival, about twice the crowd at last year’s show which netted $250,000.
The show was held at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre in Montego Bay on Heroes’ Day.
And while the figures are not yet in, festival organisers are confident that this year’s show has earned them the million-dollar profit target they set out to achieve.
“We were quite pleased with the turn-out. We had support from a number of 4-H clubs and patrons from across the island,” event co-ordinator, Marline Stephenson-Dalley told the Observer.
From as early as 10:00 am on Monday, people were streaming into the venue as the aroma of jerked chicken, pork and other local dishes wafted through the air in the large complex. It wasn’t long before children made themselves busy by riding the merry-go-round and the titanic simulator, playing inside the bounce-a-bout, and taking shots at the basket ball hoops. They, like the adults, later enjoyed the delicious and unique tastes of the assortment of juices and food on sale. The food offerings were many, but it was the Boston jerk pork that attracted hundreds of patrons who formed long queues to purchase the peppery meat.
The entertainment package — headlined by Fab Five — featured several gospel acts, including former Grace Thrillers lead singer, Leroy Smith, who stood tall among them.
The energetic Smith sent the large crowd into a frenzy shortly after he hit the stage just minutes before 7:00 pm as he performed hit after hit from his solo gospel album.
The receptive audience waved and sang along with him as he expertly delivered his message.
There were also superb gospel performances from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission 2003 gospel song winner, Kevin Downswell, Marsha Daniels and the Unique Flames, a group of five students from the Montego Bay High School.
After the gospel feast, Mackie Conscious entertained the large crowd with his usual crisp and refreshing lyrics. When he left the stage, Fab 5 took control and delivered a lively and professional set before Pieces Muzik took over, playing until early Tuesday morning.
Other highlights of the festival included the crowning of the Mister and Miss St James 4-H 2003. Latoya Lyttle, a grade nine student of the Montego Bay High School, took the female crown while Dwight Blake of Anchovy High School copped the male title.
