Color Festival: Jamaican Edition

Krysta Anderson, Lifestyle reporter

With flashing lights, and pulsating beats, Color Festival: Jamaican Edition, held at Hope Gardens, got off to a banging start last Sunday evening.

Deemed the happiest festival in the world, the colour festival has finally made its way to our lush shores, and partygoers were only too excited to make them feel welcome. The international event sported top-notch DJs and created quite a buzz with prizes and surprises leading up to the grand night.

Patrons were seen anxiously making their way into the scenic venue while those inside were already dancing up a storm. Pretty soon, waves of pure white crashed on to the front of the stage before the coloured powder was unleashed.

At almost seven in the evening, the countdown began and, in a matter of seconds, streams of powder painted the sky, fogging up the air in a colour frenzy.

Now a blend of white and colour, the painted mass enjoyed the entertainment package consisting of euro dance music (EDM), dancehall, pop, and soca - in keeping with the season - all complemented by electrifying flashing lights.

The disc jockeys and the songs required the full participation of the crowd, which obediently followed their every instruction. Others kept the Skyy Vodka and Appleton Estate bars busy, while others made multiple trips to the paint tent to purchase their packs of powdered paint, or refuelled their bodies by grabbing something to eat at the food station.

With powdered paint thrown at several intervals and the light drizzle of rain, it was sheer pandemonium as many charged, pranced, and palanced all through the almost-packed venue. As the party intensified, those present competed in showing off their 'worst behaviour'. All in all, the Color Festival brought many together, delivering a diverse package of good music, good food and drink, and great fun.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com