ORGANISERS of the annual Black River Day are going all out to make a statement with its third staging on July 31. In fact, they plan to get the attention of Jamaica’s tourism authorities, who they claim have ignored the town despite its achievements. GT Taylor, president of the Black River Chamber of Commerce, is determined to change this.

“The Chamber is very concerned that the Government and [Jamaica] Tourist Board are not seeing Black River as a great asset to Jamaica. We are not at all satisfied with the status of the town, that is one of the reasons we established Black River Day, to bring awareness and commerce to the town,” said Taylor. The Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission to promote this year’s celebration.

Like previous years, activities will highlight the St Elizabeth town’s history. With Jamaica celebrating Emancipation and Independence that week, the parish’s Custos Beryl Rochester will read the official document which proclaimed Emancipation, marking the end of slavery in the West Indies in 1838. Black River is St Elizabeth’s chief town and seat of its parish council. The area is also a key part of Jamaica’s ecotourism.

Taylor, who promotes the long-running G T Taylor Christmas Extravaganza in Black River, believes the ‘Day’ has brought a sense of pride to the community. “The young people of Black River are very aware of the history of the town. For the past two years, a history information centre has been part of the event and that’s something we’re proud of,” he said. — Howard Campbell