The inaugural Ocho Rios Seafood Festival will be held on Sunday, August 5, at the new Urban Development Corporation (UDC) Turtle River Park in Ocho Rios.

The event was originally planned for the National Hero's Day weekend but was brought forward as a result of the abrupt cancellation of Reggae Sunsplash, festival director Basil Thompson pointed out. "This is a day when Ocho Rios is guaranteed to be overflowing with visitors," he said. "Traditionally, this is how it has always been on a holiday weekend."

Culinary calendar

The long-term goal, he added, is for the Ocho Rios Seafood Festival to be an integral part of the social and cultural entertainment/culinary calendar, "a goal we believe is very achievable".

He added: "This will be a day-night affair and will have a family-oriented theme throughout. There will be a children's area with swings, rides and bounce-abouts, while the rest of the park will be littered with food stalls and display booths."

The event has been endorsed by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce and the St. Ann Development Company - a subsidiary of the UDC. Hard Rock Café and the Cool Group of Companies are already sponsors.