Rotary Club's annual Donkey Races set for Feb 9

WESTERN BUREAU:The Rotary Club of Negril will stage its annual Negril Rotary Donkey Races at the Wavz Beach in the resort town on Sunday, February 9.

Eighteen donkeys will participate in the event, which is being held for the ninth consecutive year.

"It started as a human beach race, which grew into what it is today as we adopted the donkey race from what was being done at Little Bay, a nearby community. So we then had a small version of the people race and then a donkey race," President of the Rotary Club, Negril, Sabine Bolenius, told Western Focus.

"We realised the donkey race has been generating extreme traction, so each year, we worked out how to make it bigger; how to invite more local businesses to participate and share in the family fun day. And it has got to the size where we are now, where in the last two years, we have had between 2,000 and 3,000 persons coming. And I believe it is one of the few events in Negril that is not catering for the party crowd in the form of a music event or concert. It is catering for a whole family and tourists likewise, and I find it a very special event," she added.

other attractions

Bolenius said there would be a slew of other attractions such as food booths, a Ferris wheel, and a bounceabout for children, as well as small competitions, spot prizes, a raffle, and gate prizes. She said the entrance fee is $600 for adults and $200 for children. The gates will officially open at 10 a.m. and the first race will be held following a donkey fashion parade at 12:30 p.m. The event will end at 5:30 p.m.

"The participating jockeys and the donkeys are from the Little Bay community and its environs, so it is very authentic. The riders quite enjoy it and the attention they get. They will be sponsored by business entities within the town and there will be a race commentator," she said.

"We have received lots of support from local businesses. This event is a special way of getting everybody together and to bring to the community of Negril and the tourists likewise - a fun day. We have people from Canada who book their vacations to be here for the donkey race. After all these years, with, obviously, a lot of trial and error, it has come to be a real signature event in Negril," Bolenius said.

- C. G.