DREAM Weekend is expected to pump $4 billion in the resort town of Negril and adjoining communities over a five-day period, according to organisers.

“We’re expecting around 20,000 persons who will be spending an average of US$350 for the five days; that’s roughly $4b,” Kamal Bankay, a director of Dream Entertainment, told Jamaica Observer yesterday. “And what is great, is that everyone benefits… from the hotels, the transport sector, the restaurants, private security companies, the pan chicken man, the vendors, the clean-up crew, the vector control personnel, everyone. The trickle-down effect is massive.”

Dream Weekend kicks off today in Negril and culminates on August 6.

In a previous interview with the Jamaica Observer, Lee Issa, immediate past president of the Negril Chamber of Commerce, said the party series is extremely important to Negril.

“This is usually a slow period of the year for hoteliers, so Dream Weekend fills in greatly during this time… The hotels and restaurants really benefit,” he said.

Tonight’s event, Dream Live, features acts Aidonia, Masicka, Shenseea, Jah Cure, Ding Dong, Konshens and Teejay. Celebrity Playground and Twisted Spirits take place on Friday, while Daydreams and Yush will host partygoers on Saturday. The hugely popular Wet ‘N’ Wild is set for Sunday, while the party vibes intensifies later that day with the dancehall party World Vibes.

The series reaches its climax on Monday with three events: Mawnin After, Igloo, and Dream J’ouvert for soca revellers. Mawnin After is the latest addition to the series.

“Breakfast parties are trendy right now, so for people who don’t usually come down for the entire dream experience but enjoy breakfast parties, this is the perfect event for them,” Kamal Bankay, Director of Dream Entertainment, told the Observer. “This will also be a nationalistic event with Jamaican food like ackee and saltfish and jerk dishes. It’s also gonna be the only event that will have beach access where you can actually party in the water, unlike the other events where beach access is restricted. So we have made that possible for our patrons,” he continued.

In an effort to streamline the process of patrons getting their passes, the Redemption Centre has been opened from August 1 at the Bayside Village Shopping Plaza in Negril from midday to 2:00 am. It is scheduled to be closed on August 4.