EVERY Boxing Day, thousands of hardcore dancehall fans make the pilgramage to Jamworld Entertainment Centre in Portmore, St Catherine, for the one-night ‘slugfest’ Sting.

The brainchild of cop-cum-promoter Isaiah Laing, the show celebrates its 30th staging this year.

Though its format has changed throughout the years, the show remains the ultimate arena for dancehall supremacy and bragging rights.

It is not limited to dancehall. American rappers Notorious BIG and Kriss Kross have also graced the Sting stage.

Below are key events in Jamaica during Sting’s debut year.

* In 1984, Edward Seaga, Jamaica Labour Party leader and longest serving member of parliament, was prime minister of Jamaica.

* At the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, Jamaica’s 4×100 metre relay team of Raymond Stewart, Al Lawrence, Gregory Meghoo and Donald Quarrie won the silver medal while Merlene Ottey secured bronze in the 100 metres and 200 metres.

* The West Indies cricketers ‘whitewashed’ England 5-0 on their tour of the United Kingdom. It was the first time England lost all Tests in a series.

* Eric Donaldson — who had won in 1971, 1977 and 1978 — wins the Jamaica Festival Song Competition with his entry Proud To Be Jamaican. He would go on win again in 1993 and 1997.

* Carl Brown was in charge of Jamaica’s national football programme.

* The LTM pantomime Sipplesilver is on show at The Ward in downtown Kingston. Directed by Lloyd Reckord, the cast comprises Oliver Samuels, Volier Johnson, Leonie Forbes, and Phyllis Barnes.

* Carrole Guntley is appointed first female Director of Tourism.

* Jacqueline Crichton is crowned Miss Jamaica World.