MONTEGO BAY, St James — All is now set for the second staging of the Rainforest Seafood Festival to be held at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex in Montego Bay, St James, on Ash Wednesday, March 5.

“Everything is in place. We are all set to go on Ash Wednesday at the Catherine Hall Complex,” a confident Bethany Young, public relations associate for the event, told the Jamaica Observer West.

She noted that the evening’s entertainment, to be emceed by radio personality Miss Kitty, will feature a strong line-up of popular Jamaican performers including Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal, Konshens, I-Octane, Etana, Kevin Downswell and John Holt.

In the meantime, Young noted that during the day, activities which will have a strong family flavour and which will be hosted by another popular radio personality, Jenny Jenny, will feature a kiddies village, marching bands, culinary demonstrations by the Culinary Federation of Jamaica, among other activities.

Young added that there will also be over 20 of Jamaica’s best seafood vendors on hand to cater to the nutritional needs of the patrons.

“The Rainforest Seafood Festival has secured its place on the social calendar as a fun-filled family event and of course for lovers of all things seafood. This year we are featuring tasty treats from Fish Pot, Gloria’s, Prendy’s on the Beach, Blacky of Little-Ochi-Seafood-Fest fame, Scotchies and many more, so there will be no shortage of finger-licking delights,” she explained.

Proceeds from the event will go to the We Care For Cornwall Regional Hospital, an initiative launched in 2011 by a group of ‘Montegonians’ concerned about the welfare of the 40- year-old facility which is located in the resort city.

Since then, over $23 million has been raised to facilitate the upgrade of the paediatric ward through life-saving equipment, diagnostic units and vital sign monitors.

During the inaugural staging of the Rainforest Seafood Festival last year, more than $6 million was raised by organisers.

But Young is optimistic that proceeds from this year’s staging will surpass last year’s phenomenally successful event.

“We are excited as we think we are going to raise a lot more than the first staging. We are hoping to top that. All proceeds from the gate and bar will go towards charity,” she stressed, as she urged the public to support the event.