Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Katrina Grant, winner of the 2008 Miss Jamaica Festival Queen title, performs her winning talent entry, Strength of a Woman. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

It was a case of who screams last screams loudest on Sunday night, as Katrina Grant from Westmoreland was crowned Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2008.

Miss Kingston and St Andrew Traci-Ann Wint was first runner-up and Miss Manchester Subrina Ward second runner-up.

In the early going Miss St Catherine Marsha Campbell's supporters had the screaming contest won hands down, many a banner with her name fluttering where they were clustered at the National Indoor Sports Centre, Kingston. Campbell held up the pink train of her gown and they hollered to the high ceiling; Campbell collected a plaque (as all the contestants did) from TVJ's Kay Osborne and they broke into a tumult; Campbell just walked on stage and they went into hysterical delight.

But they were as mum as the PNP headquarters after the JLP's 2007 general election victory when the top five was announced and Campbell was not among the quintet which stepped out for the on-stage interview.

The sectional prizes had been a sign of things to come, as Grant took 'Most Congenial' and Best Performance for her 'Strength of a Woman' monologue portraying an irate 'babymother', which took the house down.

Wint was judged Most Culturally Aware and Ward the Most Poised contestant. Campbell took the Popular Vote (cheering section duly going wild) and Miss St. James Sachoy Ellis was the contestant most active in her community. Ellis wore the Andrea Lindo gown that took the designer's award, a decision that displeased some.

Grant won a motor car and $200,000, among other prizes; Tracy-Ann Wint took home $150,000 and a refrigerator and Subrina Ward collected $100,00 cash and a microwave. There were separate awards for the sectional prizes.