Jamaica set to pull them in with a slew of shows and festivals

Ranging from international fashion shows to local food markets, Jamaica’s festivals are especially popular among visitors wishing to immerse themselves in the culture and history of the island. Here are a few of the best in the year ahead:

Trelawny Yam Festival, Hague Show Grounds, Trelawny April 11th – 13th
First celebrated in 1997, the Trelawny Yam Festival is a cultural, heritage and food festival which has grown to become the standard bearer for all local food festivals in Jamaica. Boasting a number of events and attractions the Trelawny Yam Festival concludes on Easter Monday each year with a grand festive occasion, 2009 being no exception to this. Events running up to this include the Schools’ Competition in February and the Farmers’ field Celebration and King and Queen Pageant in March.

Soul Rebellion Spring Break Party, Negril April 17th
Negril is the place to be during the Easter holidays with its fantastic concert event, Soul Rebellion. The first party of its kind to hit Negril, Soul Rebellion gives something back to the local community while giving visitors one of the hottest concert experiences. Visitors can participate in the “Buy-A-Brick” programme and purchase a brick for one dollar to help build schools in the community. During the day, visitors can experience local foods, music and live performances. At night, the event shifts to the Jungle Night Club where holiday makers can break loose to pulsating Reggae Rhythms and party music.

Style Week Jamaica, Montego Bay and Kingston May 22nd – 25th
Style Week Jamaica will see a powerful and diverse cast of international designers presenting their work at this important and influential platform for Jamaican and regional designers. The runway presentations executed by a world-class team of top models, stylists, hairstylists and production team, are unequalled in glamour and dynamism. For more information visit www.styleweekjamaica.com

Caribbean Fashion Week, Kingston June 10th – 15th
For five days in June, Jamaica will be the fashion Capital of the world. Caribbean Fashion Week, held annually in Kingston Jamaica, proves conclusively to all who attend that Caribbean fashion is thriving. As each year goes by, Caribbean fashion week gets bigger and better with some of the island’s hottest models and designers, along with participants from around the globe taking part. For more information visit www.caribbeanfashionweek.com

Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, Ocho Rios, Kingston, Montego Bay, South Coast-June 14th – 21st
The Ocho Rios Jazz Festival brings Jamaica’s official ‘Jazz Month’ to a peak offering a week of great music, superb entertainment and family and community participation. The festival includes international performers from Europe, the United States and the Caribbean along with renowned Jamaican jazz artists. For more information visit www.ochoriosjazz.com

International Reggae Day, Kingston-July 1st
International Reggae Day (IRD) is a day for Jamaicans and reggae fans around the world to recognize and honour Jamaica’s biggest export, Reggae music. Produced annually IRD seeks to combine the power of music, media and technology to celebrate and highlight the power and impact of Jamaican culture around the world. This year’s celebration will include a talent search, workshops and a lecture on some aspects of Reggae Music as well as on the reggae icon, Bob Marley. The culminating concert on the day itself will have an entertainment package of dance, music and song. Fittingly, this concert will be held at the Bob Marley Museum. The event will be aired on radio, television and the Internet. For more information visit www.internationalreggaeday.net

Portland Jerk Festival, Boston Playing Field, Portland-July 5th
Jamaica presents one of the biggest celebrations of jerk cuisine, hosted in Portland, known as the “home of jerk.” This is the perfect opportunity for visitors of all ages to participate in a delectable feast of jerk lobster, fish, chicken and pork, and to enjoy performances by local artists and dancers, and enjoy a range of attractions and activities including art exhibits, carnival rides and face painting.

Reggae Sumfest, Catherine Hall, Montego Bay-July 19th- 25th
This much anticipated annual music event is the largest concert festival in Jamaica and features the top talent in roots, rock and reggae from all over the world. Past performers have included R&B queen Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, Rihanna, 50-Cent, Missy Elliott, and Sean Paul. For more information visit www.reggaesumfest.com.

For more information  visit www.visitjamaica.com