MONTEGO BAY, St James —

The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), organisers of Food, Fashion and Dance (FFAD), is assuring patrons that despite the state of public emergency in St James, the event will still be staged at The Shoppes of Rose Hall on Saturday, February 3.

“The question has been asked of me if we are going to proceed with FFAD, given what is happening with the state of emergency, and my response is we absolutely must,”Joy Clark, chairman of FFAD, emphasised during Monday’s press launch of the event held at the offices of the MBCCI in Montego Bay.

Part proceeds from this year’s fourth staging of the event will go towards a proposed mentorship programme, Gloves over Guns, initiated by the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control, which will seeks to sway youth from a lifestyle of crime.

“It is all the more reason why we should proceed with FFAD because the need is there for us to start the intervention now, and to ensure that we begin to capture our youths,” Clark argued.

There are complaints from several operators of entertainment spots in the tourism resort city, that since the declaration of the state of public emergency in St James on Thursday, January 18, businesses have been suffering because patrons are accustomed to going to social events after 12:00 midnight, which is now the lock-down time.

The FFAD chair is imploring that patrons come out on time for a 6:00 pm start on February 3.

“… we also ask our supporters to come out sharp on time at 6:00 pm to allow us to close off at 11:30 pm, because of course we will have to close off 12:00 pm. So absolutely, ‘yes’ we are going to go ahead with FFAD,” Clark stressed.

Appearances by Miss Universe 2nd runner-up, Davina Bennett, and Miss Jamaica Festival Queen, Davalyn Swaby, will be among the highlights of the entertainment package, which will also include performances by the Hatfield Dance Group, Children of the Drums and Evolution Dance Group.

Much fun and excitement is anticipated as a number of professionals, including Clark and journalist Janet Silvera, will strut their stuff down the runway during the event, which will be directed by renowned fashion and entertainment guru, Weston Haughton.

DJ Pinchers will provide music until closing time.

In the meantime, Clark, who thanked The Shoppes of Rose Hall for again providing the venue, also lauded Sandals Resorts, Round Hill Hotel and Villas, El Greco, Day O Plantation, Sun Jerk Centre, Margaritaville and Hard Rock Café, which will be providing cocktail stations.