Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

Raymond 'Tarrie' Marshall has achieved international prominence since the inception of the Portland Jerk Festival. - File

The ninth staging of the Pepsi Portland Jerk Festival has expanded to a fun-filled weekend of activities, which will culminate with the main event - a food and music festival on Sunday, July 6.

And like last year, the main event will be held at Folly Estate in Port Antonio, which was once the home of former Hollywood legend Errol Flynn.

The weekend of activities will start on Friday, July 4, with a kiddie's fun day at the Boston playing field, the festival's former home.

On Saturday, there will be an all-inclusive beach party at Frenchman's Cove, in Portland, on Saturday night, and the festival will climax with the main event the following day.

Chairperson of the festival, Sybil Rendle, explained that it is fitting for the 2008 event, to start at Boston, which is considered to be the birthplace and home of jerk.

"Boston has a rich history," she said. "We, as organisers of this international event, see it fitting for Boston and its people to be included in this Pepsi Portland Jerk Festival, which originally started in that community."

According to Rendle, the festival was relocated last year to the Folly Estate property because a larger venue was needed to accommodate the large volume of patrons. She said patrons attending the festival had a hard time finding parking because of insufficient space which led to frequent traffic congestion along the road leading to the festival.

Retro beach party

Day one of the event will see the kids' fun day beginning at noon until 6 p.m., and admission is free. Later that evening, a retro beach party will be held at Boston beach with special appearance by John Holt and Coppershot, along with Jenny Jenny and the Dancin' Dynamites.

Day two will see an all-inclusive beach party at Frenchman's Cove, with Music by Kurt Riley and Renaissance Disco.

The main event will see a food and music festival at Folly. The entertainment package will include the likes of Beenie Man, D'Angel, Chris Martin and Noddy Virtue, gospel artiste Stitchie, Peter Lloyd, along with local acts. As expected, the legendary sound will be Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires.

In addition, patrons can enjoy a wide variety of jerk cuisine along with the entertainment package.

Patrons relax during the Boston Jerk Festival. - File