Fantasy All-White party draws enthusiastic crowd
WHILE NEW York grappled with a bonechilling -3 degrees Celsius on Sunday, a contrasting scene unfolded as hundreds of city dwellers sought refuge from the icy grip by jetting off to the sun-soaked haven of tropical bliss in Montego Bay.
The Fantasy All-White Beach Affair turned cold city streets into a distant memory, bringing the warmth and vibrancy of a tropical paradise.
“Now in its ninth year, the annual all-white affair has witnessed a 10-fold increase in the number of revellers. Scores of individuals now board multiple flights to join promoter and New York businessman Dale ‘ Furniture Dale’ Getfield at the Whitehouse attraction each year.
“This year alone, we saw an attendance of around 300 people from New York. The event’s popularity surged, especially in the wake of COVID-19, as people, yearning for escape, flocked to the opportunity to travel and immerse themselves in the allure of the all-white extravaganza,” Getfield told The Gleaner.
“While a substantial contingent arrived from New York, Jamaicans from Florida, London, Canada, and Atlanta, Georgia, added an i nternational flair to the gathering.”
The festivities were amplified by the beats of two of Jamaica’s prominent sound systems, Stone Love and Ticka Music. The musical ensemble, featuring veteran selector Glamour Wayne and DJ Ricky Genius, showcasing their prowess, left patrons captivated and grooving to their tunes.
Stone Love curated timeless classic from the likes of Frankie Paul, Dennis Brown, Freddie McGregor and Barrington Levy, setting the stage for a nostalgic journey that had men twirling their women. And, Ticka Music taking the baton, brought to life hits from Terro Fabulous, Buju Banton, Gregory Isaacs and Sanchez, asserting their musical prowess.
Thrilled to witness the impact his gathering is making on the diaspora, Getfield stated that as January blankets the USA with its coldest temperatures, the allure of Jamaica becomes irresistible to many.
With approximately 1,000 attendees, the event, which has made significant strides over the years, continues to draw a diverse and enthusiastic crowd from various corners of the globe.