The familiar sounds of music, laughter, and cricket returned to Sabina Park on Wednesday as the iconic Party Mound made its long-awaited comeback under a new name — Mound Mania.

While the opening One-Day International (ODI) between West Indies and Sri Lanka unfolded on the field, a different kind of action was taking place beyond the boundary ropes as patrons embraced the revived entertainment hub that was once synonymous with cricket at the historic venue.

The crowd may have been modest, but the energy was anything but.

From the first ball at 9:30 am until the final moments of play just before 7:00 pm, music pulsated through the venue as Renaissance Sound — DJ Delano, DJ Jerome, and DJ Niney Badness — ensured there was never a dull moment.

Every boundary, wicket, and scheduled break was met with a soundtrack that kept patrons engaged throughout the day.

An impromptu birthday celebration for media personality and Zip jock Venus added to the festive atmosphere.

“This was the perfect way to celebrate my birthday,” she said. “This is my first time at the mound. I’ve been to other stands before, but this experience was good. There were bars, we had lunch, comfortable seating, and it was such a good experience. I’ll be back.”

The relaunch marks a significant moment for local cricket culture, with organisers hoping to restore an experience that many Jamaicans remember as one of the most vibrant elements of watching cricket at Sabina Park.

Director of Mound Mania Kino Johnson said organisers were encouraged by the opening-day response, despite the relatively small turnout.

“The first day was actually a good day,” Johnson said. “We expected more kinks, more delays and hiccups; however, with a slow kind of return to the vibe we’re accustomed to at the mound, we’re pretty content with how things turned out.”

DJ Delano (left) and DJ Niney Badness hard at work on Wednesday.  Garfield Robinson

He acknowledged that the event was launched and marketed on a shortened timeline and was staged in the middle of the workweek, factors he believes contributed to attendance figures.

“We’re happy with the steady crowd moving through the mound as the day progressed. It was a decent curtain-raiser and an indication that the mound is back,” he added.

For former West Indies Vice-Captain Carlton Baugh Jr, the atmosphere provided a glimpse of what could be in store over the remainder of the series.

“It was a weekday opening match and so we expected it would be a little bit scanty, but over the weekend we should have a better turnout,” Baugh Jr said. “We’re looking forward to Jamaica supporting the West Indies team. We’re looking towards a good series and good vibes. This is cricket, lovely cricket, and everyone should come out and enjoy.”

Organisers are especially optimistic about the upcoming T20 matches, where day-night fixtures and larger crowds are expected to further elevate the experience.

“Mound Mania is fully back,” said director Sean Green. “The vibe is here and, for the rest of the series, we’ll build on it. We will have some day-night matches and with that comes a lot more excitement. We’ll have live entertainment, performances, and just an overall experience that will have you feeling like you would back in the days when the mound was the place to watch cricket.”

Green believes the mound’s atmosphere has always played a unique role in the overall spectacle at Sabina Park.

“The mound builds the atmosphere for the rest of the stadium. Once that tone is set, then West Indies will play well,” he said.

Although the West Indies fell short in the opening ODI, the return of the mound offered supporters something else to celebrate — the revival of a cherished cricket tradition that many hope will once again become one of the defining features of match days at Sabina Park.