Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

Alecia Griffith (centre), of Barbados, walked away with the crown in the Miss Tropical Paradise Pageant 2007 contest, last Saturday. She is flanked by Tanika Walton (left), of Guyana, first runner-up; and Soowana Bramble, of Trinidad and Tobago, second runner-up. - Photos by Noel Thompson

WESTERN BUREAU:

Three beauties from different countries in the Caribbean edged out their rivals from the region and the United States to walk away winners in the Eighth Annual Miss Tropical Paradise Pageant, last Saturday night.

The event was held at the newly built Dream Castle Villa in the upscale community of Ironshore, Montego Bay.

Beaming with smiles were Alecia Griffith, of Barbados, who was crowned Miss Tropical Paradise 2007; Guyanese Tanika Walton, first runner-up; and Trinidadian, Soowana Bramble, second runner-up.

The 2006 Miss Tropical Paradise, Aleena Fludd, strikes a pose with fiancé, Jermaine 'Blayz' Gichie, producer and engineer, of Yard Core Entertainment, based in New York and Jamaica.

A total of nine contestants, seven of whom flew into the island from North America, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti and other Caribbean countries, vied for the crown and prizes.

Producer and founder of the event, Jamaican-born Marcia Deans, now residing in New York, said she was pleased to take the contest back on the Jamaican soil for the eighth consecutive year. Deans, who is the chief executive officer of MVD Entertainment, said, "Being a Jamaican, this is the only country I know best. Jamaica has always opened the doors to me."

American-born Gwendolyn Williams, shares an intimate moment with husband, Errol. They contributed substantially to the Miss Tropical Paradise Pageant.

Over the years, Deans has taken her show to five star resorts, but she felt this time the smaller property should play host and Dream Castle Villa's owners, Jamaican-born Errol Williams and his American wife, Gwendolyn, welcomed the idea. The Williamses have embraced me and I am truly grateful for that," Deans said.

"We are more than happy to have been a part of this," said Mrs. Williams. "I have been to many countries, but found something different about Jamaica and we decided to build this 'castle'.