KINGSTON, Jamaica- This Easter weekend McGregor Gardens will be buzzing with excitement as the inner-city community once again stages its annual fundraising football, netball and talent pageant competitions, culminating with a massive stage show.

McGregor Gardens, more popularly called McGregor Gully, has been staging the event for decades, but it fell into a lull in recent times before Youths with Vision Club resurrected the festivities.

“This is going to be a beautiful space, a safe space for the parents and children from McGregor Gully and adjoining communities to interact with love, care , humility and peace.

“People will be coming from as far as England, Canada, America, and throughout the diaspora to witness something special,” Donald ‘Crat’ Vassell, a member of the organising committee, told Observer Online.

“This year we brought back the pageantry to facilitate our females ages 10–14; this way we are engaging the parents as well. On Sunday, April 20, there will be a health fair; noon is talent show for children…giveaways, food, snack counters, bounce-a-bout and other rides for children,” Vassell explained.

“All in all, I would like the elders, parents and artistes to breathe a little wisdom in the ears of our children… the future.”

It will be three days of festivities starting on Friday with the football competition involving 15 teams from and around the community vying for the $100,000 first prize in football, while the netball winners will walk away with $50,000.

Some of the participating teams are from the adjoining communities of Mountain View, Jacques Road, Back Bush, Goodrich Lane, Burger Gully and Nannyville, plus teams from as far as Denham Town and Rockfort.

Shaun Grant, another of the organisers, noted that while the competition is seeking to raise funds, it is also about unity.

“It’s not about just fun; we want to be able to assist youngsters with tertiary-level education. Those that are doing well and need the help,” said Grant.

The popular stage show will close the event, featuring the likes of Ken Boothe, Tristan Palmer, George Nooks, Major Mackerel, Little Lenny, Courtney Melody, Puddy Roots, and Lone Ranger, as well as others.

There will be cash prizes and giveaways in what is expected to be a fun-filled family day of activities.

There will also be a health fair for the elders with ECG tests along with the distribution of 70 care packages.

Grant had high praise for the sponsors who are making the event possible.

These include: Home time Cable, White Rain Publishing, Almar Hardware, K&M Meat and Groceries, Maranatha Gospel Hall, the McGregor Diaspora, Levy Law Partners, Cal’s, Kingston Hireage, OJ Smoothies, Karen Whitely (Atlanta), Member of Parliament Julian Robinson and Opposition Caretaker Kevin Frith.

-HW

A display of the various trophies and prizes to be won at the McGregor Gardens Easter Weekend tournaments.