Claro celebrated with the Longville Park community in Clarendon on Sunday, December 12 when the Claro Train pulled into that station.

As a part of the telecoms company’s effort to give back to the parish, they made the third stop in the community to provide a fair and partner with them this year in their annual tree-lighting ceremony.

The community fair featured a free health clinic that offered blood pressure and diabetes testing as well as weight and body mass index checks. There was also a reading centre for the smaller children, who were not able to ride the bounce-a-bouts or the water slides provided. It was indeed a family affair that encouraged all ages to come out and participate in what would turn out to be an excellent way to kick-off the Christmas season in the community.

The Christmas tree lighting began at 6:00 pm with Claro’s Events and Promotions Manager, Andrew Balbour being the head judge in this year’s Best Christmas tree contest. The entire community came out and participated as the Longville Park marching band led the way through the eight Christmas trees by playing carols and other popular songs. Each sector in Longville Park put their unique touch on the respective Christmas trees. In the end it was Sector D and E, joint entrants, who won the judges favour for the second consecutive year along with an impressive trophy and a cash prize.

Then it was back over to Longville Park community park for a stage show where Claro invited some of Jamaica’s finest entertainers along with Clarendon’s best to perform.

Despite the rain, Longville residents stayed and enjoyed the performances offered by Clarendon acts such as DS, Volcanic, Dias, Ras Iman, Mid Range, I-Thunder and Ras Accurate. Cushunta, Razor and Food Kartel never failed to entertain and the crowd rocked and waved in the rain while they performed. The high energy duo of Andrew & Wada Blood made everyone forget the rain. Next was Nesbeth who serenaded the ladies and shared advice to strengthen the young men on hand.

Clarendon has produced a number of popular Jamaican artistes, but Longville Park was the home of an artiste who came as a welcomed surprise on the line up, Richie Loop. Just when the crowd thought they had seen it all; out came Chuck Fenda who had persons running about in the rain.

Etana was no different as she made the entire audience become her personal choir. The final act was terrific as the Clarorific Mr G delivered like no other. His hits from the 90’s are clearly as popular today as when they first hit the airwaves. Clarendon is clearly Claro country and Mr. G proved it when the crowd sang the Clarorific jingle for him.

In the end, Christmas in Longville Park started off with a bang courtesy of Claro and its continued outreach in Clarendon. Next stop, Sandy Bay.