1 show, 12 hours, thousands partied
For 12 non-stop hours, the Soca+ Festival delivered on its promise for high-energy music, entertaining performances, and Sunday morning breakfast.
From 10:00 pm on Saturday to 10:00 am on Sunday, the appetites of party-lovers were undoubtedly satisfied inside Sabina Park in the capital city Kingston.
Mark Telfer, regional brand manager for Campari — main sponsors for the event — was all smiles Sunday at the festival’s outcome.
“Campari partnered with Soca+ because we expected a historic event, and they have actually went beyond Campari’s expectations. The consumers have been here all night enjoying the music, enjoying their Campari cocktails, and they’re still here. The sun is in the sky and we’re here! So, for me, and for Campari, it’s a historic event for Jamaica being the melting pot of many cultures tonight,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
The festivities included live performances from the Queen of Bacchanal Destra; dancehall act Aidonia, who brought out Ding Dong during his set; and Soca legend Skinny Fabulous.
Several attendees brought along chairs and small camping tents to alleviate any exhaustion that they might have experienced. Drinks and other refreshments flowed throughout the party hours with early birds sporting specially branded Soca+ cups.
Patrons also took advantage of the colourful set-up by capturing photos at selfies at the various photo booths.
Minutes before 7:00 am I Love Soca-branded raincoats were hurled into the crowd to prepare for the hoses to be turned on. The party immediately went into higher gear once this was done. Fortunately, most had dressed to get wet. But for some, their hairdos were no match for the excitement.
Skinny Fabulous made his way into the crowd during his performance to enjoy the water with his fans. He ended with the fitting track, Famalay.
The only dancehall act to touch the stage, Aidonia, hailed the event’s overall success.
“It’s a great vibe! To be booked for a festival like this, it shows a lot. This is a soca dominant and it shows that a dancehall artiste like Aidonia can come and represent. The vibe is crazy…out there ram [full]… Mi nuh think mi ever see Sabina Park suh ram, fi know seh it’s a big festival and me just glad fi be a part of it,” he told the Observer.