MoBay Jerk Fest 2023 launched in soul-stirring style
Published:Saturday | June 17, 2023 | 12:42 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
PATRONS SEEKING to attend the upcoming Montego Bay Jerk and Food Festival 2023 (MoBay Jerk Fest) can look forward to a musically soul-filled affair while they enjoy the various jerked dishes that will be available when the annual event takes places on Emancipation Day, August 1.
Highlights of what to expect during the popular all-day food fest, including stirring musical previews and descriptions of the activities to come, were brought to the fore during the event’s official media launch on Thursday at the Holiday Inn Resort in Rose Hall, St James.
Attendees at the launch were moving their bodies in perfect sync with entertainer Miguel Antonio as he belted out renditions of songs, such as 2 Face’s ‘African Queen’ and CeCe Winans’ ‘Goodness of God’ as a foretaste of what to expect when the festival takes place at Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre in Montego Bay.
John Lindo, the festival organiser for MoBay Jerk Fest, expressed gratitude for the efforts of his management team and the sponsors coming onboard for this year’s staging, to include Best Dressed Chicken, Fresh Marketplace, Massy Gas Products, and Harbour City Shopping Mall.
“I think it is a great evening this evening, and I greet everyone this evening who saw it fit to join and share with us. I am grateful for all of my sponsors this evening, and I am happy for who has sponsored us this year, and we are going to make you proud for sure,” said Lindo.
“I want to thank my team for all the hard work they have been putting in for the last couple of years. This year is going to be a great year, as we were able to hire a number of artistes to the line-up, and we are looking for a great turnout,” Lindo added.
In addition to the expected eating of the namesake jerked foodstuffs during the August 1 festivities, patrons will be treated to performances by artistes, such as Teejay, Rajah Wild, Professor Nuts, and comedy duo Ity and Fancy Cat, as well as a celebrity cook-off and an all-day kiddies’ village for children. The day’s events will be hosted by social media sensation Julie Mango.
In endorsing this year’s staging of MoBay Jerk Fest, Homer Davis, state minister in the Office of the Prime Minister – West, praised the festival’s organisers for playing their part to prepare the much-beloved annual event, despite its postponement in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Last year we would have been coming out of COVID-19 somewhat, so the economy was not bouncing as it is now. I am sure that this year’s jerk festival will be your best, and from all the indicators, we are doing better than 2019 [the event’s last major staging before COVID-19],” said Davis.