By Trudy Simpson, Staff ReporterTHE FEW available activities and the late start to events geared toward children left several parents disappointed with the start of planned entertainment on the Kingston Waterfront, downtown Kingston yesterday.
The activities for children were expected to start around 4:00 p.m. but even up to 5:45 p.m., some activities like the merry-go-round were still being set up and activities like the simulator and bounce-a-bout were just beginning to accept patrons.
"We were having some problems with the simulator but everything is okay now," said owner, Clinton Thompson, who also operates the bounce-a-bout.
Among those disappointed was 36-year-old Michelle, who came from Sligoville in St. Catherine for the events.
"My niece and nephew came along and because I am pregnant, I won't stay late. I wanted to leave at least by 6:00 p.m. but nothing is going on. We just see people walking up and down. Not even good music playing," Michelle complained.
She was accompanied by 38-year-old Jacqueline, who said she and her children had been looking forward to witnessing the activities for the first time.
There were few people around overall and more vendors than buyers. Those who turned up simply walked around, sat on the grass or on the wall facing the Kingston waterfront.
Disappointment also dripped from the lips of 30-year-old April, who watched as her three boys waited to get their faces painted at the one area which was crowded with children. She expected at least a concert or something for the children, she said. She and cotton candy vendor, Leroy Foster, also expected to see more people around.
Declaring sales "bad" so far, Mr. Foster said, "Mi did hope to see the place stay better than this. Last year this time, it ram off and mi sell off the first crate (of cotton candy) and deh on the second."
There were some good signs that things would pick up as the night progressed.
Mr. Foster said he hoped to make more sales later in the night as more people gathered for the free concert and the fireworks display.
The concert was slated to start around 7:00 p.m., break at midnight for fireworks before continuing until 2:00 am. Dancehall and reggae artistes such as Beenie Man, Luciano, Tanto Metro and Devonte, Dean Frazer and Admiral Bailey were slated to perform.
