- Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Noella Eldridge performs at the Father's Day brunch, while, at right, Roy Riley in Squintwear.
Alicia Roache, Staff Reporter
THE LIVE band plays Luther Vandross' Dance with my Father, while a father, surrounded by family, feeds a baby who sits on his lap.
This scene was at the annual Father's Day Champagne Brunch put on by the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Sunday.
Though many did not turn out at the scheduled 10 a.m. start, the ballroom of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, brimmed with families who came after noon to fete the fathers in their lives.
'MAMOOSA'
About 51 large tables were set to accommodate 10 or more persons each and before the start of the proceedings, guests were greeted with 'mamoosa', a tangy drink of orange juice mixed with champagne. The band, Warm and Easy, in the meantime kept the vibe going with mellow songs in celebration of love and happiness.
Compère, Norma Brown-Bell, played a delightful and unobtrusive hostess, performing her duties while allowing the families to savour the moment and the music.
The food was delicious. Guests were treated to a tasty mix of assorted salads, shrimp, chicken and cashew, ackee and saltfish, fried dumplings, fried ripe plaintain, rice and peas, fruits, and cakes, all done buffet style. Juices and wines were served separately.
PRIZES
There were many prizes for the taking for the families that turned out. Bottles of Champagne; lunch, dinner and tea for two at the Pegasus; gift baskets; a gate prize of a weekend for two at Starfish Resort, and tickets to the Jamaica vs Haiti football match at the National Stadium that evening.
Winners included families with three and more generations present at the brunch, the oldest grandfather, the youngest father and the honorary 15 member-large Christian family.
Entertainment was provided by the band, an animated Noella Eldridge and a brief, impromptu performance by Don Cunningham. Songs ranged from reggae, and soul to gospel and jazz.
FASHION SHOW
While they ate, families were also treated to a mini fashion show featuring 'celebrity fathers' wearing outfits from Max Brown, Bill Edwards and Roy Riley's Squintwear.
Insurance Executive, Cedric McDonald; Sportsman, Maurice Foster; Designer, Roy Riley and a model, Robert, modelled the outfits for the roomful of guests. Styles ranged from comfort casual to business attire.
The mood inside the ballroom was indeed easy like a Sunday morning, and even as late afternoon approached and the guests lounged and enjoyed the fete, families were still arriving.
