Fun, frolic reigned amid rain at Sumfest Family FunDay
Published:Wednesday | July 17, 2024 | 12:07 AM
WESTERN BUREAU:
When Joe Bogdanovich arrived at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre, in Montego Bay, on Sunday, he had a broad smile on his face, the Reggae Sumfest Family FunDay was in full swing, and happy parents and children were out in large numbers, and clearly enjoying themselves.
“This must be the perfect way to start Sumfest, the support could not have been better,” Bogdanovich, the top man at DownSound Entertainment, the promoters of the annual festival, told The Gleaner.
The event, featured a number of well decorated tents and stalls and engaging activations.
“It is really a day out for my son, and he is really enjoying himself,” said Jenel-Lee Johnson, as she watched her son and the other happy children taking turns enjoying the mechanical bull, bounce-about, a giant inflated dart board, rolling balloons, rock climbing, prancing inside the airborne adventure, and even getting their faces painted.
“I am also enjoying myself and learning so much, going through the many booths such as [the] Heart/NSTA Trust, the Kiwanis Club of Providence, the St James Health Department, Hospiten, and the Sunshine Snack [booth] among others. There are so many educational and health things to learn about. I am happy I came.”
On the main stage, entertainer Trippple X created quite a buzz, driving the various dancing and other contests, alongside the giveaway of sponsors items, the Grace Food Court, where a variety of foods, drinks and sponsors products were on offer, also had a buzz, which could not be ignored.
During the afternoon, there were several short bouts of rainfall, which had many people heading into the covered section of the venue for shelter, while other people, who had earlier had their umbrellas out shading themselves from the blazing sun, used them to shelter from the rains.
Interestingly, the rains did not put a damper on the event as the music never stopped and Trippple X kept the energy going at fever pitch from the stage with his enticing selections and social commentary. It was that energy that carried over in Laa Lee’s impressive performance as solo major act booked for the event.
“I really like it, especially seeing the fathers out in such numbers with the mother and the children,” Laa Lee said. “It is really a good look to see the children and their parents displaying such good behaviour.”