Maroon Town Nite out a success

Karrie Williams, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Glendon Harris, kept residents of Maroon Town and surrounding communities in a celebratory mood last Thursday night, when he hosted the second staging of Maroon Town Nite Out.

From as early as 6 p.m., a host of vendors and patrons began gathering in the town square for the event, which held special significance for Harris as it coincided with his birthday on April 18 and his 25th anniversary as councillor for the division.

By 10 p.m., the main street was fully transformed into a bonafide party centre, with an infectious atmosphere that had patrons dancing the night away to the pulsating music of DJ Spimpy from the Magnum party truck.

Between takes of musical enjoyment, which also included several impromptu dance-off contests, partygoers chatted and shared laughter with Harris, who also provided a complimentary kitchen and bar for them.

Harris said rural communities were often left out of major entertainment events, and that Maroon Town Nite Out was being staged in a bid to change that, as well as provide local vendors with the opportunity to conduct more business.

"The hills have been left out ... . We do have to enhance our local economy, and the Nite Out provides local persons with an opportunity to make some money. We started in December, and we intend to continue," said Harris.

Vendors selling roast yam, steamed fish, soup, ready-to-cook vegetables, and various other food and drink items were kept busy throughout the night from attending to a flurry of customers.

Noting the increased vending activities, resident of Maroon Town, Leon Hill, commended Harris for his contribution to the event.

"I think this event is good, as it brings out the people, and everyone gets to meet up with each other and have a good time. The vendors also get to do business and make some extra money," Hill said.

As the night wore on, patrons from nearby communities kept on arriving to join the party. Harris promised that these surrounding communities, including Garland, Tangle River and Summer Hill, will also be getting their turn at a Nite Out event, as plans are in place to make the party an entertainment staple throughout his division.