COOPERS PEN, Trelawny – Trelawny Homecoming 2007, a reunion of Jamaicans who were born and raised in this north-western parish, last week received a $6-million pledge from Robert Bryan, the executive director of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.

Bryan, who is also the chairman of the Social Development Commission (SDC), said the sponsorship would be part cash.

Set for March 5-12 to coincide with the opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 at the Trelawny multi-purpose stadium in Daniel Town, the homecoming expects to attract at least 600 persons from overseas and several thousands locally to a variety of events spanning the cultural, sporting and business arenas.

Bryan said a big screen would be erected in Water Square, Falmouth to show a live broadcast of the opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup, which is scheduled for March 11. The cultural concert planned by the Homecoming committee will follow immediately.

He added that a request for a second large screen in Albert Town in the southern part of the parish would be taken into consideration.

Dennis Seivright, president of the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce, announced they had received permission from the owners of Harmony Hall to use the property during the staging of the event, which, he said, would “enhance” the other events planned.

Florence Logan, the chief local organiser of the event, told last week’s launch that among the objectives of the event was to “show off the parish by staging a number of activities designed to entertain all visitors in many ways”.

Logan told the Observer that the events, which they estimate will cost around $10 million to stage, would be “all-inclusive for every strata of the society from the snow-cone man all the way up”.

The week will kick off with a welcome party hosted by the mayor, Councillor Jonathon Bartley, and Custos Roy Barrett on March 5 and will be followed by a church service on March 7 at the William Knibb Baptist Church in Falmouth.

A 20/20 cricket festival and domino tournament will be staged March 7-12, while on March 8 there will be an investment seminar and development expo aimed at identifying potential investment opportunities.

A gala Homecoming Ball will be held at the Starfish Resort on March 9, while a cultural concert is planned for March 11, and a food exposition on the 12th will bring the week to a close.