OCHO RIOS, St Ann – The cricket fever has caught on full blast in St Ann, following Wednesday’s launch of the Ocho Rios Cricket Village at Turtle River Park.

The village was launched amidst much fanfare, indicating the excitement expected during the duration of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 tournament which will be held throughout nine Caribbean islands from March 5 to April 28.

The village, established in collaboration with the St Ann Development Company Limited (SADCO), the St Ann Chamber of Commerce and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), is expected to attract locals and tourists alike to the parish.

According to Faith Thomas, general manager of SADCO, sponsors were being sought for the duration of the village in order to make the concerts free of cost to those who choose to attend. The finer details for the broadcasting of a live feed of the games during the tournament were expected to be finalised by yesterday.

Thomas said the village was launched to allow persons to watch the games on large screens as well as enjoy the entertainment package during the live concerts on weekends.

“We have specific weekends when we will have entertainment and some Jamaican food and beverage, and we are actually trying to get sponsors for the concert so they can be free,” Thomas told the Observer.

She said, too, that SADCO would also be using the opportunity to establish an information booth so that locals and tourists alike can be informed about the various attractions to be found in the parish.

“.We want to set up everything for the 59 days so that on specific days when they are not playing cricket we will still have something in the park,” said an upbeat Thomas.

In the meantime, Norma Walters, president of the St Ann Chamber of Commerce, gave the assurance that patrons would enjoy and experience a unique cultural medley of entertainment and excellent cuisine over the 59 days of the cricket tournament.

“World Cup 2007 is an exciting time for the Caribbean as we will keep the vibes pumping to take advantage of the 100,000 persons who are coming through the Caribbean,” Walters told the launch of the cricket village. “We are told that over 20,000 guests will be bearing down on Ocho Rios and we will find the place to put them,” she added.

The JHTA’s area chairman for Ocho Rios, Vanna Taylor, also expressed confidence in the parish’s ability to host those visitors who will seek accommodation here. “We would like all the visitors coming to St Ann to have a wonderful time, and the JHTA stands ready and committed to see that St Ann becomes the number one area for Cricket World Cup 2007,” she said.

But if Wednesday was indicative of what is to come, visitors to the park will be in for a real treat, as attested by specially invited guests and members of the public who converged at a section of the lush green park to enjoy cultural entertainment from performers.

Performers for the day’s events included Ocho Rios Primary and the Aabuthnott Gallimore High School which had the audience rocking to their melodious sounds and the well-choreographed dance moves.

The Trysee Group, an adult cultural group from St Ann, also showed the versatility of the Jamaican culture as they performed in a repertoire of dinky mini music.

The day’s events ended with a performance from the Rising Star trio One Third.