Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

From left: Walter Champbell, Cecile Levee, Michael Hall (behind Cecile), Winston Blake, Michael Silky Shloss, Joe Hilton, Kevin Levee, general manager at Hedonism III, and Monte Blake, celebrating with the Merritones at their sweet-16 family reunion. - Hedonism/Contributed

Party animals and culinary connoisseurs had a splendid time at Merritone Family Reunion and annual Jerk Festival held at Hedonism III in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, over the Heroes Day weekend.

The event, predicted to be naughty, nice and a whole lot of spice, was packed with numerous activities. This was combined with endless partying to the hypnotic sounds of Merritone Music from night to dawn next day.

Merritone Music has been around for the past 56 years. However, last weekend they celebrated their 16th Merritone Family Reunion. The famous Merritone sound system originated in Morant Bay in St. Thomas over 50 years ago. Founded by the late Val Blake, the sobriquet, "merri music" specifically speaks to the style and type of music.

Friday night was seafood night on the beach. While guests enjoyed the scrumptious fare of fried and steamed fish, grilled lobster and more, the group, Children of the Drums, enter-tained them. They were dressed in African apparel as they danced and beat the drums, depicting African tradition. After a good 45 minutes of this, it was time to boogey. Merritone Music then took the floor as everyone got down and dirty.

Saturday was filled with entertainment galore. In the afternoon, the Carib Regal Steel Band gave an explosive performance. The band, filled with energetic youngsters, got guests raving and applauding wildly. They especially got a few whistles and "yeahs!" when two female dancers started doing the popular dance 'Dutty Wine'. Throughout the hour-long performance, the band seemed to feed on the high energy that prevailed.

Entertainment Galore

The day continued on a high and at nightfall, the chefs' gala began on the pool deck. People were clad in elegant party apparel as they sat down to a wide range of both local and international food. After dinner, the entertainment team whet guests' appetite with 'pussycat premiere'. The premiere showed glimpses of a show that was to come and performers were as frisky as the feline creatures, for which the show is named, tend to be.

Following the premiere, members of Merritone Music gathered on stage to cut their sweet-16 reunion cake. The poolside party came next and guests danced the night away to soca, oldies, and funky music.