The inaugural staging of Black River Escape Weekend kicked off on Friday with the first of five cruises over three days from Hendrick’s Wharf in that historic south-coast town.

The party series will be held on board the Treasure Queen party boat starting with On Deck, featuring music by DJ Kurt Riley, Richie Ras and Target Systems. The cruise will be preceded by a two-hour launch party on shore at 10:00 pm and sail time down for 12:00 am.

The series then moves into high gear tonight with two parties, starting with High Tides All-White Bikini Day Cruise with party favourites Chromatic, Slimmatic and Target Systems handling musical juggling. The all-inclusive event is set to sail at 3:00 pm. Adrift follows with ZJ Rush, ZJ Liquid and DJ Crazy Neil taking the musical helm.

Patrons will rise to Aurora ‘The Breakfast Cruise’ tomorrow, the food and cocktail-inclusive event will set sail at 6:00 am with popular Kingston-based disc jock Bambino, DJ Stunna from St Elizabeth, and DJ Tippy from Montego Bay. The weekend culminates with Unwind Retro Cruie sailing at 5:00 pm with music from DJ Mix Master Marvin and Target Systems and a live performance by the legendary Ken Boothe is expected to raise the mast.

The series — promoted by Alonzo McCoy of Target Systems — said hopes to bring attention to Jamaica’s South Coast as a viable option for entertainment and destination choice for such events.

“We chose the south coast because we wanted to bring attention to the area as a good party destination. We have partnered with the hotels in the area and so far the feedback has been really positive. Normally, events like these are centred in Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril, but we want to build this area as well,” McCoy explained.

“We have made the best selections in deejays, something for everyone and we are just looking for patrons to come out and have a good time, spend the weekend in Black River and just enjoy everything the area has to offer,” he continued.

— Aceion Cunningham