Big Ship docks at Somerset - Portland enjoys a day with 'Freddie McGregor and Co'

Hope Bay, Portland:

Despite inclement weather, the Ship docked in Portland, Somerset Falls to be exact, and patrons were provided with high-quality performances from George Nooks, and the Big Ship family, headed by the legendary Freddy McGregor.

It was a day when the rains pelted the parish, but despite that, one of Portland's major entertainment facilities came to life with the sound of reggae music.

That music echoed throughout the length and breadth of Hope Bay bringing hundreds of patrons who were kept busy devouring meals of curried goat, roast fish, bussu soup, fish soup, rice and peas, and pastries.

Others either swam or enjoyed drinks at the bar. The rain pelted the eastern parish intermittently.

According to Marcia Lawrence, coordinator of the event, patrons got their money's worth. According to her, the administrators of Somerset Falls were pleased to be hosting what they considered a high-quality, family-oriented event.

Children, for instance, were fêted with horseback riding, rafting, a trampoline, bounce-a-bout, and swings.

'Received a blessing'

"This is Portland and we really received a blessing," said Lawrence. "The many attractions at Somerset are here to be enjoyed by the entire family, and that was the reason behind hosting an event like this. We are seriously looking at hosting more events like this one in the near future, and I personally would like to thank all the sponsors involved. We delivered what was promised and performed, despite the heavy rainfall, and for that we are thankful," she added.

Veteran singer George Nooks took the stage shortly after 5 p.m. and had the medium-size crowd singing and cheering as he touched popular hits such as Lean On Me, God Is Standing By, Love Lifted Me, Money In My Pocket, Zion Gate, and So Much Love.

Frisco Kid was in awesome form, as he had the ladies dancing with hits including Rubbers, Little And Cute, Living In Style, and Gal Pon Di Side before exiting the stage to make way for the many artistes back stage.

The likes of Chino and Laden and company blazed a trail of modern-day dancehall favourites, while Chi-Ching-Ching was humerous and had the ladies screaming.

By then, the near-capacity crowd was truly getting value for the $1,000 entrance fee.

When Big Ship boss, Freddy McGregor, took the stage shortly after 6 p.m. the energy levels became almost tangible. The veteran international artiste reeled off hit after hit, including the fever medley, Just Don't Want To Be Lonely, Prophecy, and Dennis Brown's version of Revolution.

After spending more than 45 minutes onstage and with the crowd begging for more, Freddy decided to up the tempo and reeled off other hits such as Nice Time, Winner, Stop The Fighting, So I Will Wait For You, and Let Him Try.

But still the crowd would not let him go, and for more than an hour and a half, McGregor filled the audience with breathtaking reggae music.

Songs such as Push Come To Shove, Big Ship, Can't Stop Loving You, and Brandy, he sang for the ladies.

He then brought the curtains down with a gospel song titled My Soul Is In Your Hand.