Ocho Rios readies for seafood festival

There used to be a time when Ocho Rios, in terms of entertainment, was simply the forgotten town. And for good reason. It was the one resort town that did not have a signature event on the local calendar. But no more.

Natchilus Promotions Limited, a group of young local promoters, has ensured that the town can now boast of having what might be the biggest seafood festival in the entire island - the Ocho Rios Seafood Festival.

The event, now in its fifth year, is slated for Saturday, August 6 (Independence Day) and will again be held at Turtle River Park, Ocho Rios.

"The entire equation changed in 2007 when we managed to pull a crowd in excess of 10,000 persons and that was the inaugural year," Camille Miller, marketing manager for Natchilus Promotions Limited explained.

"While Montego Bay could brag of having arguably the two biggest events on the local calendar, the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival and Reggae Sumfest, we had nothing here in Ocho Rios," Miller continued.

"Adding further insult to injury, Negril would always be reminding us of the firm grip it has on spring break, not to mention the annual summer blockbuster events — ATI and Dream Weekend. Even Portland had a big say with its annual Portland Jerk Festival. Now, it's our turn to brag as, in the Ocho Rios Seafood Festival, we now have a signature event that can hold its own against any food festival in this country."

plans going well

According to the organisers, plans for the event are going well and interest has grown tremendously since last year.

"The response has been overwhelming. We now have Digicel on board as a main sponsor and a number of other companies are expressing a similar interest. And, as is now the norm, we do expect a large turnout of local and overseas visitors," she said.

The positive response, Miller explained, was due, in part, to the fact that the event has been largely successful and has been incident free. The festival, she added, has also received the blessing of the St Ann Chamber of Commerce.

Miller said the festival will again be geared towards families and that a top flight entertainment package would be in the offering.

Meanwhile, the list of entertainers being sought for the festival has grown to include Jimmy Riley, Beenie Man, George Nooks, Richie Spice, Hero, I-Octane, D'Angel and Romain Virgo.

The Ocho Rios Seafood Festival joins a growing list of food festivals held annually across Jamaica and focuses on fish, shrimp, lobster, crab, eel, scallops and octopus.