Two of Jamaica’s veteran headliners Professor Nuts and George Nooks have vowed to bring first-class entertainment to the annual St Thomas Jerk Festival.

Slated for Linval Lawn in Port Morant on Sunday, July 28, Nooks promises a set that will cater to all musical tastes in what is his second appearance at the event.

“I feel very good to know that I am back on this event as St Thomas is a place that I love and people love me over there. I will be giving them the songs that they [have] come to know me for from all those years up ‘til now,” he said.

“I have been singing now for quite some time, and I am understanding that I have reached a lot of people; whether it’s gospel, whether it’s secular, love songs, or culture,” he added.

Nooks, known for his cover of Al Green’s God is Standing By, says his deejay alter ego, Prince Mohammed, will be on show as well.

“Some songs that I did in the 70s, like Dread Nuh Have Nuh Forty Leg and Bubble We a Bubble will be performed. So, If George Nooks is coming to the show, then Prince Mohammed got to be there,” said Nooks.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s most iconic comedic DJ Professor Nuts says fans of the food festival should “expect the unexpected”.

“Fans can always look to Professor Nuts for a good performance, so all the fans of St Thomas Jerk Fest can look out for anything, because I am that type of person who will just drop the bomb and everybody will have to laugh,” he noted.

Meanwhile, event promoter Barrington “Tari” Gordon says he is happy to welcome new sponsor National Commercial Bank (NCB).

“My first sponsorship was in the second year and that was with Wisynco Group, but we haven’t had a major sponsor since then. Now we have NCB on board this year and they will be bringing something new to the jerk fest, where we will be having point-of-sale machines at as many bars and kitchens as possible,” he said.

Gordon, who started the family-oriented event back in 2018, says the costs for patrons to get into the venue have been lowered due to a decrease in rental charges.

“The most important thing with this venue is that it allows us to charge less, and so we hope to get more patrons because we don’t have to charge $3,000, $3,500 and $4,000, because this venue is much cheaper. This year we will charge $1,500 pre-sold for children and $2,000 at the gate, while adults will be asked to pay $2,000 pre-sold and $3,000 at the game,” Gordon said.

Other acts slated for the entertainment segment are Dancing Rebel, Hilarious Granny, and Roze Don.

Gates are scheduled to open at noon.