The best dressed donkey sporting, among other things, the popular cellular phone. The donkey was dressed by Clifton Barrett of Alps for the Trelawny Yam Festival held in the parish on Monday. - photos by Richard Morais

Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

HAGUE, Trelawny:

Notwithstanding the rain, approximately 15,000 people attended the Trelawny Yam Festival, the first of the now 14 food festivals, at the new venue, Hague Show Ground, on Monday.

Patrons started arriving from as early as 8:00 a.m. and by midday the die was cast. This large figure, under the circumstances, was facilitated by many who attended for the first time because of the venue and the better traffic conditions.

This somehow vindicates the Southern Trelawny Environmental Agency, the organisation running the festival. Earlier, its executive director, Hugh Dixon, said it was just not pragmatic to host the festival at its birthplace because of various circumstances, including the possibility of a great loss.

Several different dishes

Meanwhile, the thousands who attended were treated to at least 30 different ways of preparing yam, including as appetisers and savouries, sauces and dips, breads and desserts, drinks and main dishes, all available for consumption. Many confessed to having been drawn to the event primarily because of the cuisine of this popular stem tuber.

In the culinary competitions, William Knibb topped the school category, while the professional category was won by the Runaway Bay HEART Hotel. Adam Rhodes topped the individual category.

Among some things that caused comic relief were the best dressed donkey and goat competitions. These competitions were won by Clifton Barrett, otherwise called 'Juicy', of the Alps.

The crowd braving the rain at the yam festival in Trelawny