Farm queens vie for Diamond Jubilee crown
With this year being the Diamond Jubilee staging, the 13 parish queens vying for the coveted title in the National Farm Queen Competition were formally introduced and sashed during the official launch of the 72nd Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show.
The event was held at Hi-Pro in White Marl, St Catherine, on Thursday, June 18.
The national competition will take place on Night One of Denbigh 2026, scheduled for July 31 to August 2 at the Denbigh Showground in May Pen, Clarendon.
This annual three-day showcase of agriculture, industry, and food will be hosted under the theme ‘Growing Forward: Cultivating a Path to a Better Jamaica’.
Speaking during the launch event, held at Hi-Pro in White Marl, St. Catherine, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green underscored that Denbigh embodies the “heart and soul” of the nation.
He noted that the show continues to serve as a powerful platform for renewal and recovery, particularly in the wake of recent extreme weather events that have severely impacted the agricultural sector.
“This Denbigh is about celebrating our farmers. It’s about gathering… to look at the best that we have to offer… our modern trends in agriculture and how we’re going to grow forward,” Minister Green said.
Day two of tbe show will be observed as Minister of Agriculture’s Day and will spotlight youth in agriculture.
Coinciding with the national celebration of Emancipation Day, the programme will also feature a special segment, titled ‘Kulcha Yaad’ to commemorate Jamaica’s freedom.
Celebrations at Kulcha Yaad will showcase Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage, featuring traditional dances and performances such as maypole, quadrille, and kumina. The festivities will also include a Nine Night Band and the vibrant jonkunnu.
Day Three, which traditionally draws the largest patron turnout, will be observed as Prime Minister’s Day.
Nightly entertainment will feature the vibrant ‘In the Street’ parties on Night Two; and the Hi-Pro Denbigh Gospel Extravaganza on Night Three, headlined by acclaimed local gospel artiste Kevin Downswell, alongside other performers.
