IOJ banks on community for 'Ole Time Chrismus Fair'

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

At a time of year when free street concerts and pre-packaged shopping spree days are all the rage, the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) is resting hopes for the success of Friday's 'Ole Time Chrismus Fair' on community support.

"We are indeed going against the rain. But we believe there is a mid-market, especially community that should come out to support," Clover Johnston, director of Development and Public Relations, said.

Plus, as Ole Time Chrismus Fair comes on the trailing end of Christmas in the City, Johnston says "that will provide a sort of lead-in".

The event will take place in three places at the institute's 10 -16 East Street, downtown Kingston, complex. The children's activities, including storytelling, grab bag and Maypole dancing, as well as goodies like coconut drops, gizzadas and sno-cone, will be at the Junior Centre, while there will be a number of booths on the sidewalk outside the Tower Street entrance. And there will be three food stalls in the institute's courtyard with soup jerked pork and chicken.

The fair starts at 9 a.m. and ends promptly at 4 p.m.

Extended concert

Included in the mix is an extended version of the institute's regular lunch-hour concert, featuring Bare Essentials band, Anthony Cruz, Recycled Teenagers (Members of the national Council for Senior Citizens), dub poet Ras Jaja and Nicole Hutchinson. JonKonnu is also included in the fair.

Johnston said that many children know only about bounceabouts and rock climbing as entertainment.

"Many children do not know fruitcake," she said. "The idea is to bring back some sensitisation to Jamaican culture."

And with the business community having a strong presence downtown as well as numerous persons living in the area, Johnston says "we are focusing on community. We are hoping that they will come out and support us".