MoBay readies for glitzy 2020 fireworks display

Residents of Montego Bay and surrounding communities are in for an explosive New Year’s Eve, courtesy of a collaboration between the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) and Pier One Restaurant.

In an annual tradition made popular by Pier One, residents will get a chance to ring in the New Year on the Montego Bay waterfront in the annual Fireworks on the Bay, wrapping a topsy-turvy 2019 in the northwestern parish.

“Pier One has been celebrating on New Year’s Eve in this manner for a number of years, where residents get to watch the spectacle from the waterfront,” said Janet Silvera, president of the MBCCI.

“This is something that we want to continue and so we were very excited when the opportunity came up to partner with Pier One,” said Silvera, who added that the event will remain free to the public.

The MBCCI is pumping $500,000 into the event through the Tourism Enhancement Fund.

“The TEF allocated the money towards fireworks for the city and we knew that was not enough to put on the exhibition that fireworks are known for, so we offered to partner with Pier One, because they have been doing it out of pocket annually,” Silvera said, noting that Pier One has self-funded the New Year’s Eve spectacle in Montego Bay for the past 12 years.

Pier One’s Marketing and Promotions Manager Peta-Gay King said that with the MBCCI collaboration, residents should expect a show that is “second to none”.