BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth — This historic coastal town comes alive today with the annual staging of Black River Day, a mix of cultural and entertainment events described as “the Ultimate Street Festival”.

Organised by the Black River Chapter of the St Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Black River Day is being hailed as a continuation of a drive to “promote commercial activity within a framework of culture, culinary experiences, fun, and entertainment”.

Organisers say the day’s activities will begin with a float parade in the morning, led by a decorated 40-foot trailer, marching bands, uniformed groups and community groups. There will be a food court featuring a wide variety of Jamaican dishes, according to the organisers.

Music will be a dominant feature with a range of bands providing rhythmic strains from church, soca, reggae, mento, and pop.

The organisers say entertainment activities for children will include displays by the Jamaica Fire Brigade, rides and other sources of thrills at a Kiddies Village, and stilt walking.

There will also be a health fair and a product display featuring entrepreneurs and artisans of St Elizabeth.

Organisers say that at twilight, there will be a welcoming and awards ceremony, a showcasing of the “talents of St Elizabeth in the finals of JCDC (Jamaica Cultural Development Commission0 ‘Big Stage’ competition”. This will be followed by stage performances from leading entertainers including Ninja Man, Nesbeth, Stylex, Grandpa Entertain, Mr Kool, and Villa Dutch.

The show is scheduled to close at 2:00 am Saturday.

Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Western, Floyd Green, hailed the growth of the annual Black River Day event as good for the town, which is the capital of St Elizabeth.

“We have seen that the spillover effect of entertainment is very good for our economy,” he told the Jamaica Observer.