MONTEGO BAY, St James — THE 12th staging of the Busta 4-H Nyammins & Jammins Food Festival will take place on Saturday, December 15 at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre in Montego Bay.

The event is endorsed by the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association Montego Bay Chapter and the Jamaica 50 Secretariat.

According to Winston Ritchie, chairman of the St James 4-H Advisory Council, organisers of the event, the food festival has been pushed back from October to December due to the muddy underfoot conditions resulting from heavy rains which have plagued the event over the past 11 years.

“We had to change the date because we could not afford another rained-out event, not for our concessionaires, not for our patrons and not for our scholarship recipients who depend on the success of the event to assist with their further education,” said Ritchie.

“We absolutely could not do this without their (sponsors) support and so we laud them for their contribution. This event is toward nation-building, we also welcome any other sponsor who would like to assist us at this time,” he added.

Organisers have described the festival as a wholesome family entertainment package which includes over fifty educational/informational booths, as well as on-stage performances featuring “something old, something new, gospel and pop contemporary”.

This year’s main performers include male dancehall act Romaine Virgo, the former Digicel Rising Star; female dancehall sensation Tifa and “Mr Rocksteady” Ken Boothe.

Gospel music lovers will be “blessed” by Clive Provost known as “Jabez”, Noreta Lewis, award-winning Edwin Myers plus new singing sensation Kammi.

Backing band will be the “versatile and seasoned” Fabulous 5 Band.

The Mr & Ms 4-H Contest, a staple of the show, will be back and recorded music will be provided by Montego Bay’s “Pieces Muzik”.

The kid’s village will feature a wide range of games, rides and giveaways, and novelty items.

This year will also see several spectator activities in the mid-field including a grease pig, chain saw and strong man competitions. There will also be culinary competitions for hotel chefs in the area of fruit and vegetable carvings as well as mystery basket for local celebrities, “one pot” cook-off and “blue drawers” competitions/demonstrations.

The 4-H booth will have a wide array of the work of clubbites on display as well as for sale.