Versatile breadfruit

Cabbrina Lennox, Gleaner Writer

JEFFREY TOWN, St Mary:THE ST Mary Breadfruit Festival promised fun and education. And that it was, as patrons started arriving as early as 10 a.m. at Ben's World Farm Pen on Sunday to enjoy the versatility that the breadfruit promises. The booths were kept busy as patrons sampled the amazing variety of dishes made from breadfruit including traditional roasted or boiled breadfruit; breadfruit jam; breadfruit pie, cake, or pudding; breadfruit punch; and even breadfruit wine!

President of the Jeffrey Town Farmers' Association, Wordsworth Gordon, and host of the St Mary Breadfruit Festival said this year's staging was the best yet.

"I'm happy. The show was a success. We didn't get the crowd that we expected, but I must say the message - to make breadfruit a staple on the plates of every Jamaican - was sent, and I think it was well received."

The annual festival, which started in 2005, returned after a one-year absence because of financial constraints, and the organisers pulled out all the stops to make this year's event one to remember.

After a day filled with activities such as the children's three-legged breadfruit race and the adult breadfruit Cotta race, the patrons were all geared up for the big event of the evening: the stage show.

performance

Jimmy Riley, headlined artiste for the night, gave a stellar performance doing his mega hit Love You Too Much to Ever Stop Liking You, and a collaboration he performed with his son, Tarrus Riley, Black Mother Pray. During his performance, he was cool and serene and the crowd rocked along as he was backed by the Corner Stone Vintage Band. Tito Simon did not disappoint as he was energetic, performing some of his hit singles. The crowd loved him and sang along before his performance was cut short due to a disagreement with the band.

However, it was a local artiste who was the star of the night and had everyone on their feet. Anthonie Malcolm, aka Turban, sang and danced as he delivered a series of gospel songs: A Nuh One Prayer Wi Pray, I Am Bless, and Him a Mi Daddy Oh. Other performances for the night came from the Islington Dinki Mini Group, Cologne, Khalid, and Caddiejah.

Patron Renard Wickham said he enjoyed the show and was looking forward to next year.

"It was a good day. I had a lot of pork, jerk chicken, and breadfruit, and breadfruit punch," he shared. "I took part in the Dinki Mini dance. So all in all, it was a good day. I might just take home a breadfruit tree to plant."

The sponsors of the festival were the Trees that Feed Foundation, the Bank of Nova Scotia, Talawah, Jamaica Producers, RADA, Power 106, Mr Woody's Restaurant, Hay's Hardware, and Digicel.

rural@gleanerjm.com