Editors’ Forum | Expo Jamaica 2018 to offer fun for all
Published:Friday | April 13, 2018 | 12:00 AMCarlene Davis
There should be something for everyone at Expo Jamaica 2018 which gets under way this Thursday, as the organisers say patrons can expect a raft of activities at the National Arena and National Indoor Sports Centre, which will host the largest show of its kind in the Caribbean.
Aswad Morgan, co-chairperson of the Expo, says that he's encouraging parents to take their children to the expo so that they can get an idea of the importance of buying Jamaican products.
"You might wonder why such an emphasis on the youth at a business trade show, but we believe it is very important for the children to be in that environment for them to see what it is that Jamaica has to offer, and they can certainly learn a whole lot from the exhibits that are there," said Morgan at a Gleaner Editors' Forum last Thursday.
The organisers are also trying to ensure that the children will have fun.
"We will have a fun zone which is going to be bigger and better, so we have partnered again with Hope Zoo where we will be doing a petting zoo. We will have the usual snow cones, cotton candy, and popcorn. The bounceabout and the rock climber will be new features," executive director of the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association, Imega Breese McNab, told the forum.
BOXING RING
Breese McNab said the fun zone will have other offerings for the children, including a fight for peace boxing ring which will have demonstration of martial arts and boxing.
"We have the Neo Jamaica, which is about the youth in terms of preparing them to do interviews in the job world, so it's a whole mix and catering to the different types and different age groups," said Breese McNab.
Teenagers and children will also have the opportunity to get a caricature done, while entertainer Nesbeth could be on hand to sign autographs.
Social-media sensation 'Dutty Berry' should also be there, while the Ministry of Labour should have a youth lounge established. The organisers are also trying to establish a Bob Marley sound booth in the play area.
Expo 2018 will be open to the public on Friday, April 20, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.