Mystic Mountain begins night entertainment

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

Nightlife in Ocho Rios has been given a boost with the introduction of After Glow, a night-time entertainment package by Mystic Mountain Bobsled Jamaica.

The event was launched last Sunday night in the cool, lush hills that typify Mystic Mountain.

Scores of persons turned out to enjoy the evening that featured live entertainment by Universal Band and rides on the sky explorer, zip line, and bobsleds. And the food was sumptuous!

"We want to give people of Ocho Rios and Jamaica, in general, like the people from Kingston coming down for a weekend, a unique dining experience, wherein they will enjoy Mystic Mountain and all our attractions and rides at night," explained Mike Drakulich, managing director.

"So, After Glow is a Friday and Saturday-night experience. We start this week and we're going to continue right through the summer, where the park will be open from 5 o'clock to 10 o'clock every night," he said.

For about US$50, persons will enjoy a three-course meal, wine and dessert, along with live entertainment and rides on the sky explorer, zip line and bobsled.

Different dimension

"The bobsled is really incredible during the day, but at night it's a whole different dimension. We're the only people in the world to do night zip line where we light up our platform with big torches," Drakulich said.

In explaining the reasoning behind the night package, Drakulich said Mystic Mountain aimed to be a full-service provider. He said the organisation wanted to show big groups and companies that the facility was available for rental both day and night, for weddings, launches, company parties and other special events.

Also on the horizon is a series of stage shows to be held every full-moon Saturday night, called Mystic Moonlight, that will feature top reggae artistes.

"We hope to have during the course of the summer Tanya Stephens, Tarrus Riley and Beres Hammond and people of that ilk. We were hoping to do it in two weeks, on June 26, but we're waiting for confirmation of our artistes. For sure, it will be on every full moon in July, August, back to December."