Miss Festival Queen 2009 Kamesha Turner of St Ann is flanked by first runner-up Tamara Dickens (left), Miss Kingston and St Andrew, and second runner-up Zuleika Amadie Jess, Miss Clarendon. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

The comparable volume and intensity of the cheering at the announcement of the first runner-up and Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2009 last Saturday night seemed indicative of two kinds of celebration.

It appeared that there was as much relief that Kingston and St Andrew, represented by Tamara Dickens, was not the winner as there was rejoicing at Kamesha Turner's victory for the Garden Parish.

The second runner-up, in front of a crowd that was enthusiastic in rooting for favourites and unafraid to show preferences at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road, St Andrew, was Clarendon's representative Euleika Jess. Alicia-Ann McKenzie from St Mary and Hanover's Kelonie Noble rounded out the top five.

St Ann's most vociferous supporters, many holding placards, positioned themselves to the right of the stage and stood throughout the approximately four-hour show. They were in a good position to express their ecstasy by running to the stage and cavorting on the grass when Turner took the two final sectional prizes, Best Designed Costume and Most Culturally Aware.

The latter, based on pre-judging, accounted for a whopping 40 per cent of the final mark. The performance, presentation and onstage interview were worth 20 per cent each.

Sectional prizes

Dickens was also among the sectional prizes, taking Most Poised, Westmoreland's Chevonese Hutchinson (who had a very vocal set of supporters on Saturday night as well) took the Popular Vote and McKenzie was the Most Active in her Community.

St Thomas' Jodean Williamson, who did a hilarious and instructive skit, 'Boasy Sufferer', was judged Best Performer, while the Most Congenial finalist was anchester's Lanisha Rhoden.

It was obvious that Kingston and St Andrew, on home turf, did not enjoy the strong crowd support that it usually does and Jennifer 'Jenni Jenni' Small, who hosted the coronation show along with actor Alwyn Scott, remarked on this. "This is the first year St Ann and Westmoreland shut up Kingston," she said before the sectional prizes were announced. "I have never seen such a quiet Kingston and St Andrew in my life. And Kingston and St Andrew people here today?"

And the people from other parishes in one accord said "no!"

Turner won a suite of prizes, including a 2006 Nissan Note motor car courtesy of Mack D's Auto, $200,000 from Digicel and a total wardrobe value of $70,000. Dickens' prizes included $150,000 cash from MoneyGram, a double-door refrigerator from Singer and a $20,000 gift certificate from Capital and Credit. Jess' cash prize, donated by Juici Patties, was $100,000.

Each sectional prize was worth $25,000 in cash.

In2Nation band, with Andrew Cassanova on lead vocals, roused the audience with a musical flashback to winning festival songs, while LUST capped off a good showing by honouring Michael Jackson with Bille Jean and Heal the World to a squealing audience.

No need for coffee this Monday morning, Kamesha Turner, Jamaica's newly crowned Festival Queen, is certainly a sight for sore eyes. Turner, who represented the northern parish of St Ann in Saturday's final, came out ahead of first runner-up Tamara Dickens, Miss Kingston and St Andrew, and second runner-up Zuleika Amadie Jess, Miss Clarendon. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer