The new year was ushered in with less than the tremendous fanfare that usually obtains in the extreme North West. True, familiar features such as fireworks at Alfred’s in Negril, countdown parties at the major hotels and partying at Jungle nightclub went on, but for many residents the season was low-keyed.

Negril’s main thoroughfare, the Norman Manley Boulevard, normally a sea of pepper lights over the Yuletide season with hotels, villas and business places vying for attention – was noticeably dimmer.

Sandals Negril, Grand Lido and Beaches Negril maintained their traditional decorative luster commencing from early December, but others such as Swept Away and Hedonism were not their usual form.

Perhaps the only consistent social events over the season were the enormous parties along the beach strip. Boxing Day attracted hundreds of persons from all over Jamaica to the seaside. Long Bay Beach is a favourite with the Kingston crowd and the local jerk and drink vendors capitalised on the opportunity with makeshift food stalls. New Year’s Day revealed a similar pattern and on both occasions sound systems blared with a bass that vibrated a mile down the road.

The holidays also meant a special time for charitable activities.

Among them was the Christmas treat put on by Mayor Lloyd Hill of Lucea. Children from the town and surrounding communities were provided free merry-go-round rides, bounce-about and a performance by Sesame Street characters presented by Beaches Negril. The mayor and his team also distributed free toys to the children.

What would New Year’s Eve have been without the traditional traffic jam at the westerly end of the Norman Manley Boulevard? It took motorists at least an hour to move a distance of a few kilometers at the nexus of Alfred’s and Jungle Nightclub. For out of towners this can be a patience-testing ordeal as vehicles juggle for parking space before long the whole shebang grinds to an eternal halt. This particular location is the main hub of public activities on New Year’s Eve and those in the know make their way there for the variety of events from disco music, to live shows and fire-works. A lot of other venues along the West end and Sav La Mar did not do as well with reduced patronage and obvious reduction in tourists who usually take on the New Year’s Eve adventure.