Ackee Extravaganza

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Senior citizen Monica Heron, smiled broadly after she ate a slice of ackee pizza. "It is the first time I've ever seen ackee used in so many different ways. This only goes to show that so much can be done with the national fruit," she remarked.

Heron was one of hundreds who transformed the town of Linstead, St Catherine, into a 'sea' of ackee and jerk products on Heroes Day.

It was the sixth staging of the Linstead Ackee and Jerk Festival.

Many of those who attended left in awe at the abundant array of ackee by-products.

Of the stalls with ackee, McGrath High School took things to another level. "We have a very talented group at the Home Economic Department, the rest is what you see here, " notes Lorraine Foga-Laud a teacher in the department at the school.

Ambience

Ackee jacuzzi, ackee danish, ackee rocks, ackee packi, ackee plain cake, ackee pie, ackee cracker casserole, ackee fritters, ackee dip and ackee stout.

All products were backed by roasted breadfruit, boiled and roasted yam, rice and peas, turned cornmeal, festival and roti,

"We believe this location is great for the persons to better enjoy the festival,"notes Gary Bernard.

Many just enjoyed the ambience. The day's activities ended with dancing and singing contests, which everyone enjoyed.

The event was a true representation of the line in the folk song 'Carry mi ackee go a Linstead Market'.