By Melville Cooke,
Freelance Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
WESTMORELAND'S FIRST Curry Festival was huge.
An estimated 3,500 to 4,000 persons streamed through the gates of Manning's School in Savanna-la-mar last weekend to sample just about anything that could be curried, topped off with entertainment from local performers and the Fabulous Five Inc.
From cake to octopus and "blue draws" to crab and every meat in between, the menu was nearly all yellow. With his lips dripping yellow, one man shouted to his friend:
"Is a curry Heineken me jus drink!"
In addition to individuals and restaurateurs, several hotels participated in the event.
In the afternoon, after the edge had been taken off most appetites, a varied entertainment package was presented. Stand-outs were the Jamaican version of Cinderella, 'Reggaerela', done by the Mannning's School Performing Arts Society. A drunk pastor delivered a classic line:
"Blessed is the rum dat has no spirit!"
The Hertford Cultural Group delivered harmonious traditional music, while Lord Have Mercy galloped his donkey on stage to "hee-haw" the crowd. A perfect junior imitation of Stanley, complete with five feminine Turbines, tore the house down twice with Fi We Islan' A Boom and the cow whip cracking Jonkanoos scared the wits out of many a small child.
However, it was the Fabulous Five Incorporated band which provided the piece de resistance.
"So you get up in the morning and you just realise, Curry Festival come back again," Grub Cooper sang as the band took the flag-waving, dancing crowd on a journey through calypso, rock 'n' roll, disco and traditional music.
In the end, the disco took over as the first Westmoreland Curry Festival wound down. The vendors who were not out of stock did good business as the curry lovers did their level best to leave none behind.
Chairman of the organising committee, Norman Reid, was a happy man. "It has been a tremendous success. What has come out is community tourism. It is safe to say that 90 per cent of the support came from Westmoreland. The support from the business community and the media was fantastic. We had the full co-operation of the police and there were no incidents," he said.
The date has already been set for next year's Festival. "Next year, last Sunday in April," Mr. Reid stated.
Although a culinary treat, the Westmoreland Curry Festival has a serious purpose the profits are slated to help upgrade the sewage system and bathrooms at the Manning's School. The entire project will cost $12 million.
"It has been a good response. We didn't know what to expect," principal Bonitto White said. "We would like to thank all the persons who helped, our main sponsor Easispice and Dr. (Karl) Blythe," he said.
Prime Minister PJ Patterson, Water Minister Dr. Karl Blythe and Justice Minister KD Knight were amongst
the throng.
