Curry Festival and the economy
EIGHTEEN YEARS of growing innovation and creativity have cemented the annual Bigga Westmoreland Curry Festival as an economic driver in the western parish popularly dubbed ‘Curry Country’.
Throughout the years, Curryfest has increased sale and trade in local businesses and communities in Savannala-Mar whenever the event is on the horizon.
“The economic activities that happen in Savanna-laMar as a result of the Westmoreland Curry Festival are astounding,” said Viviene Richards, who chairs the organising committee.
“On the Fridays and Saturdays leading up, you see persons shopping like crazy and making preparations for the event. So no doubt that the festival is an economic driver for the town and Westmoreland overall,” she added.
According to Richards, the event is not an attraction for only locals, but for foreigners as well, who fly down just to chow down on the various curry-themed Caribbean dishes that the festival is known for.
“Curry Festival is a wholesome event and is a place you come to explore the food and meet people you haven’t seen in a while. An old classmate of mine who lives abroad and who I haven’t seen in decades reached out to me recently and told me that she will be in Jamaica for the event. This shows the festival’s positive influence on boosting tourism,” she explained.
GROWING IMPACT
Along with the festival’s growing economic impact, the event is also a platform to generate funds for charity and community projects.
“We have done several charities since conception, giving back to basic schools, Manning’s School, and the Women’s Crisis Center, among others. This year, we will be looking to extend that reach beyond our current beneficiaries,” Richards noted.
The 2018 staging of the Bigga Westmoreland Curry Festival will be held at the Manning’s School in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on Sunday, April 29. The organisers promise a bigger and better show jam-packed with day and night entertainment for the entire family.
Gates open at 12 noon, while showtime is at 3 p.m.
“The show has grown significantly to become a calendar event for the parish, so make the date and come out early,” Richards stated.