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Montego Bay designated ‘Sumfest City’ for July

Published:Wednesday | June 7, 2023 | 12:16 AM
From left: Kamal Powell, regional marketing manager, Jamaica and the Caribbean, Campari Group; Joe Bogdanovich, executive producer of the Reggae Sumfest and chief executive officer, Downsound Entertainment; Marlene Malahoo Forte, member of parliament for S
Ashley Anguin
From left: Kamal Powell, regional marketing manager, Jamaica and the Caribbean, Campari Group; Joe Bogdanovich, executive producer of the Reggae Sumfest and chief executive officer, Downsound Entertainment; Marlene Malahoo Forte, member of parliament for St James West Central and minister of legal and constitutional affairs and Robert Russell, deputy chairman, Reggae Sumfest, pose for the camera at the Reggae Sumfest Media Launch.

The city of Montego Bay, dubbed the tourism Mecca of Jamaica, has been designated ‘Sumfest City’ for the month of July.

In making the announcement, during the official press launch of Reggae Sumfest at the Iberostar Resort in Rose Hall, St James, last Wednesday, Montego Bay’s Mayor Williams said the designation forms an element of the partnership between the promoters of Reggae Sumfest and the St James Municipal Corporation in ensuring that the 30th anniversary of the festival is a memorable one.

“This is the first time that the city is being designated as Sumfest City, but this is a tag which I know the city and its citizens will proudly wear,” Williams stated. He added that during July 2023, there should be no doubt as to where “the world’s greatest music festival” is being held.

Williams pointed out that since its inception in 1993, Reggae Sumfest has firmly established itself as the “greatest show on Earth” and has been treating music lovers from Jamaica and across the world to high-class performances from some of the greatest exponents in the industry while creating jobs for Jamaicans from every sector of the society.

Reggae Sumfest chairman, Joe Bogdanovich, said that he was elated by the declaration.

“I have always thought of Montego Bay as Sumfest City so I am extremely happy that it has been made official. Anyone visiting Montego Bay in July is aware of the buzz of excitement created by preparations for Sumfest and the many events that we host during the week of the festival,” Bogdanovich said.

He added that the declaration “has made the bond between Reggae Sumfest and Montego Bay significantly closer and we look forward to the designation being a permanent one and not only for July 2023”.

Reggae Sumfest 2023 kicks off on July 16 with a family fun day at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre followed by the street dance on July 17 at the Old Hospital Park. On Tuesday, July 18, there will be the highly anticipated All White Party at Pier One while on Wednesday July 19 the newly constructed Harbour City will be the venue for Blitz. It will be followed by the Global Sound Clash at Pier One on Thursday, July 20.

The festival is expected to reach fever pitch on Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 when it moves to the Catherine Hall Entertainment centre for two nights of entertainment featuring some of Jamaica’s top musicians and performers.