Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (right) chats with Louie and Debbie Grant during the festivities.
Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
The windy climes of Lydford was host location for Prime Minister P.J. Patterson's farewell media party.
Guests from all over Jamaica made the journey through picturesque St. Ann to party with the PM one more time before he exits office.
"I said 14 years ago that I would return and I did. I say today I will soon depart and I will," he joked.
The only reason Patterson even took the microphone was after much coaxing by the members of Fab 5 who had started the entertainment section, delving into their vast array of hits. In tribute to him and his love of ska music (he's a former manager of the Skatalites), the band then hit the guests with a number of tunes from that era which got those who weren't dancing out of their seats.
high energy level
Voicemail (bridging the musical gap I suppose), didn't disappoint either as they kept the energy level high. They were dancing instructors to the old and the young and everyone was doing the moves (or their best interpretation). The crowd called for Patterson to try a few of the moves but he left it for his guests since it was their party to enjoy.
The showers had been intermittent but came down in a torrent, temporarily chasing most dancers from the floor. But the sun was soon out again and the dancers returned to jam to the music of the disco. A band change saw Live Wyaa take the stage to provide backing for the perennial show stopper Freddie McGregor. His hits like Push Come To Shove, To Be Poor Is A Crime and Africa Here I Come had the crowd rocking again.
There were three food stations to choose from as Velisa's Restaurant, Lorraine Fung and Passage To India all offered up their own culinary delights, and guests did indulge.
With parting gifts in hand, guests made their way back home late Sunday night wondering if P.J. Patterson threw so many parties when he was in office, how many will he host when he really has time on his hands?
