Contributed
General manager of Breezes Runaway Bay, Cheddy Parchment, is flanked by the gorgeous members of the entertainment team, from left: Diana Johnson, Kimarsha McDonald and Aldean Duhaney.SUPERCLUBS' BREEZES Runaway Bay resort last Wednesday night, celebrated its 21st anniversary with a lavish reception and pool-side buffet dinner attended by over 300 persons.
The party took on a glamorous Las Vegas style ambiance complete with a showtime extravaganza of singers, dancers, trapeze and acrobatic acts, a magician, and circus-like performances.
Thousands of pepper lights, hundreds of balloons and other Christmas decorations as well as ice carvings, and replicas of famous Vegas landmarks including France's Eiffel Tower and Caesars Palace Casino and Hotel contributed to the setting of dash, tinsel and glamour.
Wright's Incorporated Band belted out some of their most popular renditions with mellifluous ease and feeling cramming the huge dance floor, and getting catcalls for more. Singer Raine Davis, hit the spotlight with the sincere simplicity of his showmanship, and, in the truest tradition of a soulful balladeer, he was well in demand for handshakes, kisses and encomiums.
Six stations offered food fit for the discriminating palate of even the most fastidious epicure: chicken terrine, stuffed Cornish hen, lamb chops and stuffed crab back, among the vast, delicious array.
A liberal assortment of liquor and liqueurs was equally impressive so were the tempting mountains of dessert.
Wednesday evening's dinner fête was preceded by a cocktail reception on the main lawn. Gloved waiters and waitresses glided ceremoniously among the guests for over an hour, with trays and trays of fine hors d'oeuvres.
General manager, Cheddy Parchment, gave a brief history of the resort. He explained that prior to SuperClubs taking over the management of the resort in 1984, it was named 'Runaway Bay Hotel.' SuperClubs renamed it 'Jamaica Jamaica', and in 1996 used the hotel to launch the group's 'Breezes' brand of vacation facilities and gave it its current name.
"Breezes Runaway Bay has come of age," Parchment said to rapturous applause "and we've been a good success story!"
The banquet capped four days of anniversary celebrations at the 22-acre, 238-bedroom beachfront property, in St. Ann. The festivity included an anniversary welcome party, a managers' cocktail reception, and a beach party.
Repeat guests who make up a large volume of Breezes Runaway Bay's accommodation tally, were specially hailed and honoured at Wednesday evening's reception. Some 150 repeat guests were registered on the day of the birthday, and the resort singled out four couples, to give special gifts.
They included Germans, Erwin and Helga Sommer, who have vacationed at Breezes Runaway Bay an amazing 71 times.
Local VIPs who attended the event included Custos of St. Ann, Mr. Radcliffe 'RO' Walters and Mrs. Walters; and the Mayor of St. Ann's Bay, Councillor Delroy Giscombe.
