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Merritone village

Published:Sunday | October 24, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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The Merritone family celebrating their 60th anniversary at the Sunset Beach Resort and Spa, Montego Bay, last weekend. Cutting the birthday cake are (from left) Carl Percy, Wray and Nephew's Christine Wood, Michael 'Silky' Schloss, Winston Blake and Lorna Bess. In the background is young Craig Ross. - photos by Janet Silvera
Montego Bay's Sunset Beach Resort and Spa was the place to be last weekend, as Merritone forced its followers to put on their dancing shoes and celebrate 60 years of togetherness. Here Desmond and Phadra Rose enjoy every minute of the music.
Denise Fletcher (left) and Judith Thompson were in a dancing mood. - photos by Janet Silvera
The young people are ready to take charge of the annual Merritone family reunion, and Tsehaye Clennon seemed to have been making a statement at the event last weekend.
Young lion Craig Ross and his better half, Sharika Saunders.
Pia Delapenha (left) and Angella Anderson refused to leave the dance floor.
Marcia Wanliss (left) and Pat Austin dancing the night away.
Norma Reece looked fab in this hot black number.
Eileen and Clayton Donaldson enjoying themselves.
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Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU: The Beach Inn at Sunset Beach Resort and Spa in Montego Bay was transformed into a 'Merritone village' last weekend, in tribute to their 60 years of unbroken musical ingenuity that still commands the attention of party people worldwide.

In fact, Jamaicans from Canada, Florida, New York, Connecticut, Puerto Rico and Atlanta flocked to the resort for the three-day celebrations.

"We were able to have a section of the hotel dedicated to them, where their accommodations were located and the parties took place," said Charles Spence, the resort's director of sales.

He said the good thing about the village was its privacy.

"The practicality of the village allowed us to have the three theme nights without disturbing the rest of our guests."

There were two other large groups in-house, but because of the way the resort is widely spread out, one would not have known.

Beginning with a Friday night soiree, Winston Blake, Craig Ross and the rest of the crew, had revellers stuck on the dance floor until 5 a.m. Saturday morning. They were hopping, skipping and jumping to the crème de la crème of the island's heartbeat - reggae. Of course, Trinidad's soca made its way on to the dance floor, but not until ska and rocksteady showed their prowess.

On Saturday night, the village was again on fire, this time attracting gatecrashers who had heard of the previous night's repute.

"We are visiting from Canada, but I am Guyanese and could not pass up on an opportunity to dance the night away," Jenny Babullal told Outlook.

On Sunday, music lovers were ready again to stomp the tiles, celebrating yet another year in the rich history called 'Merritone'.