'Winterfest' for MoBay?

BY ADRIAN FRATER, Staff Reporter

"There seems to be a market for a winter festival and it is something we are looking at," said Sumfest's chairman Robert Russell at Thursday's rural press launch of Reggae Sumfest 2001, in Montego Bay. "If we are able to solicit the required sponsorship support, it could well become a reality in the near future."

The decision to finally start giving active consideration to a winter festival may be based on the promoters finally making a profit in each of the past three years. In addition, the company has now secured an influential new partner in the product Red Stripe Beer.

"We again made a small profit last year and we are anticipating that with Red Stripe as our partner, things could be even better this year," said Russell, with regards to Reggae Sumfest 2001. "We are satisfied with where we are in terms of our preparations."

Indications are that Red Stripe is at least contemplating the possibility of joining Summerfest Production Limited on projects other than Reggae Sumfest.

"That (the winter festival) is something we would have to look into," said Wayne Lawrence, the acting brand manager of Red Stripe, in response to the question as to whether or not his company would support a winter festival. "I could not just say yes, but it is something we would most certainly look into."

A winter festival would be great news for the Jamaica Tourist Board, which has seen Reggae Sumfest and its predecessor Reggae Sunsplash transform the once quiet July/August period into a peak period for tourism.

"We have been a major sponsor of Reggae Sumfest since its inception and the association has been quite good," said Pat Samuels, the JTB's regional manager, in a recent interview with The Gleaner. "We are always prepared to support any venture that will project Jamaica in a positive light and bring additional visitors to our shores."

Should the proposed winter reggae festival become a reality, it will not be the first time that the city of Montego Bay has hosted such a major event. In the early 80s, the city played host to the World Music Festival, which featured artistes such as Gladys Knight and the Pips and reggae legend, Peter Tosh.

"The city would welcome such as venture," said Montego Bay-based musicologist/promoter Allan Lewin. "It does not have to be an all reggae festival, it could be blended with R&B and jazz to add another dimension."

Back to Entertainment