Aqua essential for Dream Week

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

As the week-long run of super parties got under way in Negril on Emancipation Day, one of the lead sponsors is doing its part to ensure that patrons manage their drinking throughout, thus enabling them to have a better experience and, more important, remain healthy.

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration and, along with the physical exertion that partying demands as well as the summer heat, patrons can run the risk of missing out on the enjoyment based on the large number of parties that will be held over the next few days. It is why Aqua Essential, of the lead brands of the Smirnoff Dream Weekend that runs until August 6, will have water available at four of the biggest parties set to kick off this week.

Aqua Essential is the exclusive non-alcoholic beverage for the Dream Weekend parties and is in the second year of its sponsorship.

"Because of the need for hydration, as there will be a lot of partying, a lot of alcohol consumption and a lot of heat, it is expected to be very hot, we want to ensure that everybody manages their alcohol consumption," said Carlo Redwood, head of marketing of Pepsi Jamaica, under whose banner Aqua Essential falls. "At the biggest parties - Xtreme Wet and Wild, Daydreams, Yush and Beer Vibes - there will be specific Aqua Essential bars and hostesses serving Aqua Essential water," he said.

Roles

For the duration of each party, the hostesses, Redwood said, are to ensure that people stay hydrated so they don't want to leave the party vibe to do so. The hostesses will take the water to them as well as deliver timely tips on how to manage alcohol consumption by spacing drinks and consumption of water.

The tips will not only be left up to the waitresses, Redwood advises. Disc jockeys are also expected to encourage patrons to use spacers and drink lots of water during their alcohol consumption. According to Redwood, there is little point in being unable to manage the consumption of alcohol and then passing out and missing the party. "This is so they can last throughout the parties each day," he said. "We are also encouraging people to walk around with their water and keep themselves properly hydrated."