Although her wooden home in St Elizabeth was damaged by Hurricane Melissa last October, Patricia McPherson is thankful that she and her two children, Kylie and Kyle, have a place to rest their heads at night.

McPherson, who is now staying with family members in the Hope Pastures community, took her two children to Funfest, held on New Year’s Day at Hope Gardens, and, for her, the event was therapeutic.

“Just being here with the children and seeing them having fun come een like therapy weh mi did need. This is the first time since the hurricane that they seem so happy and, from we reach, all deh pon dem mind is the rides and the waterslides,” McPherson told the Jamaica Observer.

She heard about the event after a neighbour of her relative in Hope Pastures shared that she would be taking her children to the event.

“Mi overhear her saying that she was going to bring her children, so I asked my children if they wanted to go and they said they never heard of it before, but they wouldn’t mind coming out of the house. I am glad I took them here,” said McPherson.

Like her, several families were in attendance at Funfest for a day of fun and frolic. Everything for children was in place. From bounce-a-bouts, to zip lines, water slides, gaming stations, trains and fun zones, there was nothing short of entertainment for the young at heart.

The food court was decorated with an array of vendors, who plied a variety of dishes including jerked meals, pastries, burgers, fried fish, curried goat, stewed pork, snow cones, sweet treats, and more.

Action on the main stage, guided by Ryan “Debonaire’ Dixon, included give-aways by sponsors, dancing competitions, singing competitions, mascot dance-off, a contortionist who wowed the crowd with his acrobatic skills, and gospel artiste and minister Kevin Downswell.

He ignited the stage with a string of popular songs, including Goodbye World and Stronger, that saw patrons singing along like a choir.

Shanelle Bailey, who is responsible for social media and entertainment at Funfest, was pleased with the day’s happenings.

“Today’s execution was truly heartfelt and intentional. In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa we knew it was important to create more than just an event — we wanted to create a moment of relief, joy, and renewal for families. Our team worked diligently to ensure the experience was seamless, safe, and welcoming, allowing parents and children alike to simply enjoy the day without worry. Seeing smiles, laughter, and families reconnect through shared experiences made all the planning worthwhile. Today was a reminder of the resilience of our community and the power of togetherness as we step into a new year,” Bailey told the Observer.

She continued: “The crowd support was incredibly moving. Families came out in strong numbers, bringing warmth, energy, and gratitude that could be felt throughout the venue. The on-stage activities were vibrant and interactive, with children and parents fully engaged — cheering, dancing, and participating with genuine excitement. Our hosts and performers helped create moments of joy and hope, reminding everyone that, even after challenging times, there is still room for celebration and connection. For us, this event represented a fresh start — a chance for families to feel uplifted, encouraged, and hopeful as they begin the new year.”

Children enjoy some of the numerous rides at Funfest.

A section of the crowd at Funfest.

Fun for the entire family.

Attendees await the start of this ride.

First-time attendees young Gabrielle and her mom Sandra take a break from the fun at Funfest.