Black River Day set for July 27
This year’s Black River Day 2018 — ‘the Ultimate Street Festival’ — will be held on Friday, July 27, in the town.
Dancehall acts such as Vershon, Gage and Wayne Marshall, as well as gospel acts George Nooks and Lt Stitchie are scheduled to perform.
This will mark the sixth year of the street festival.
“We continue to support and encourage commercial activity, and any effort which will lift the profile of the town. Black River has so much history and promise, and this street festival provides a big boost to the economy of our parish, because it attracts over 25,000 patrons each year,” said GT Taylor, assistant public relations officer of the organising committee.
Taylor understands the economic jolt that the street festival brings to the parish capital.
“We haven’t done an official audit, but I know that this festival adds several millions to the economy of the parish. Plus, Black River Day continues to promote commercial activity within a framework of culture, culinary experiences, fun and entertainment,” Taylor said.
The festival is organised in tandem with the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation.
The day kicks off at 9 a.m. with a float parade. There will be a mini stage set up on High Street, where gospel acts will entertain in the afternoon.
Other activities include a health fair, a fire and rescue display by the Jamaica Fire Brigade of Black River and a kiddies’ village. The streets will be patrolled by stilt walkers and the JAG Myers Park will have a mento band to entertain the throng of patrons.