THE SECOND 'Sweet Potato Festival', organised by the South Manchester Sweet Potato Growers' Association, is scheduled for Heroes' Day, Monday, October 20, at the New Broughton Primary School.
Dundee Hewitt, the festival co-ordinator and president of the association, says the community is enthusiastic about the event. Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke is expected to declare open the day's activities at 10:00 a.m. and the event will provide an opportunity for patrons to sample the various varieties of sweet potatoes and view exhibits made from the tuber, says Hewitt. Other attractions will include merry-go-round and a ferris wheel, a domino tournament and a talent show. Local artiste Sonia Spence, who gained international popularity with her hit song Jet Plane, is slated to headline a four-hour stage show.
This year, the association expects to realise tangible profits from the festival, says Hewitt, who notes that revenues from the first festival in 1999 were adequate to defray expenses incurred to stage the event.
SWEET POTATOES IMPORTANT TO THE ECONOMY
September to January is potato season, when the best prices can be gained from the export trade, and so the potato farmers' full participation is anticipated.
"(We want) to sensitise the farmers in the area of the importance of sweet potatoes, especially toward the economy of Manchester," he says. Several communities in Southern Manchester, including Rose Hill, Providence, Pratville New Broughton and Berry Hill
are known for producing high-quality sweet potatoes.
The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the 4-H Clubs and the Jamaica Agricultural Society are the sponsors of the festival. However, the association is seeking more sponsors and exhibitors. RADA will mount
a booth for the sampling of sweet potato products and to provide information about potato cultivation and pest control.
Admission is $100 for adults and $50 for children.
- Shelly-Ann Thompson
