( L - R ) Wayne Marshall, DJ Nicholas - File Photos

Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer

The Portland Jerk Festival, which has been held in Boston since its inception in 2000, will have its 2007 staging at the Folly Great House in Port Antonio.

The festival promises to be a day filled with entertainment and great food, including the traditional jerk pork and chicken, roast fish, breadfruit, festival and other delicacies.

Chairman of the Portland Jerk Festival, Sybil Rendle, pointed out at a recent launch in the parish that a number of factors have forced the organisers to change the venue. She noted that over the past three years the committee has lost in excess of $8 million as a result of low patron turnout, along with the postponement of the event on two occasions.

Parking facilities will be at the Folly Lighthouse property, Titchfield School and Carder Park, and the police will be on hand to direct traffic.

Superintendent of Police for Portland, Dudley Scott, gave his assurance that his team will be on hand to provide maximum security at the venue to ensure the safety of patrons, and will also be on the road to ensure a smooth flow of traffic throughout the day.

The entertainment package will include popular reggae artistes Freddy McGregor, George Nooks, Wayne Marshall and Josie Wales. Others scheduled to perform include Alaine, Hero, Shan-O, Cherine Anderson, One Third, Nickeshia Barnes, Prodigal Son and DJ Nicholas.

Byron Lee and the Dragonaires will provide the bulk of entertainment, along with sound system, Fire Squad. There will also be a cultural village and other local acts. Admission is $700 for adults and $200 for children.

The venue is located along the Folly peninsula, just five minutes drive east of Port Antonio's town centre, and is believed to be the most intriguing and beautiful locations not only in Portland, butalso in Jamaica.

This year patrons can expect a wide variety of foods, with the addition of conch, mutton, shrimp and lobster, all cooked in traditional authentic jerk sauce. Vegetarian meals will also be available.

Title sponsor for the event is Pepsi. There is a host of associate sponsors, including Reggae Jammin, Supreme Ventures, Digicel, Jam Guy, IRIE FM, Red Stripe, New Era Fencing, Kingston Hireage, Carib Cement, Air Jamaica and the Urban Development Corporation.