PORT ANTONIO: Portland residents rang in 2015 in fine style. Those who opted to forego church, partied like rock stars or attended the gospel fest in the parish square.

At the Blue Lagoon Tropical Resort, revellers — comprising locals and foreigners — danced to selections played by Rhythm 2000.

Veteran deejay Admiral Bailey set the tone with a number of his popular hits. He was followed by dancehall singer Lukie D. Part of the quartet LUST, the singer showed his versatility with a number of songs as well as paying tribute to late singers Dennis Brown and John Holt.

Lukie D added some spirituality to his set with Marvia Providence’s Hear My Cry and the age-old classic Rivers of Babylon.

After a wonderful display of fireworks, the singer continued with popular tracks. He closed his set with Air Supply’s Just as I Am. During his finale, he was supported in harmony by Tahera Brown, Miss Portland Festival Queen 2014.

Dressed in black, Beenie Man stepped up to the plate. He reeled off his hits including Girls Dem Sugar and Wickedest Slam, which had the females screaming with excitement.

Portlander Versatile also performed at the event.

Meanwhile, despite the showers, it was a jam-packed audience that turned up the 25th staging of Alpha at the Port Antonio square.

A number of church groups participated in free gospel concert.

Uprising group and Cheapstowe City Mission Church had a large audience rocking to gospel faves.

The latter did Grace Thrillers He’ll Do it Again and a remake of Tarus Riley’s She’s Royal named Jesus is Royal much to the delight of the attandees.,

The rains, however, brought the event to a close at 2:20 pm.