The I Love Soca Cooler Festival kicked off the Best Weekend Ever series at Pearly Beach in Ocho Rios, St Ann, on Friday night in fine style.

Guest performers Viking Ding Dong and Laa Lee whetted the appetites of soca and dancehall junkies who had travelled from near and far clad in their best beachwear to dance the night away.

Hailing from the soca mecca, Trinidad, Viking Ding Dong delivered with well-known tracks like Drink And Party, Leave It Alone, and, of course, We Outside.

Laa Lee added a nice local touch with his high-tempo tracks Bird, Dirt Bounce, Bong Bing, and Floating.

There was also a release of giant sized beach balls to bring the performances to a climax.

The venue was decorated with floats and other beach décor, and no patron could resist the neon-coloured complimentary cups to enjoy drinks of their choice for the whole night.

Music was provided by Tony X and Back To Basics, DJ Mindless, Nocturnal and Cyclone, Franco and Brush1, Lord Hype and Jr Chromatic, Fyahman and Kryptic, and Lantern MD and JW.

The Jamaica Observer received favourable feedback from attendees who were eager to share their experiences.

“It was such a great time. The music, vibes, decoration…everything was well thought out; I can tell,” Maddison White said.

“No matter where I Love Soca is held, I’m there. It’s always very well-executed,” Jack Rhodes added.

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB)-endorsed Best Weekend Ever is billed as “the epitome of high-energy music, local adventures, gastronomic diversity, top-shelf spirits, and most importantly an infectious vibe”.