New excursion attraction launched in Hanover

Western Bureau:

A new excursion attraction has been added to the western Jamaica tourist entertainment scene. Sky Beach Bar and Seafood Grill, located in Hopewell, Hanover, is the destination point for the weekly affair, which was launched on Wednesday.

A mento band to welcome all guests, backed up by live reggae music with a full band entertaining all afternoon, within a truly Jamaican rustic atmosphere overlooking the sea, a Jamaican buffet lunch, along with other cultural happenings for the duration of the three hours that is spent at the location, can be said to be worth the time and money spent for participating in the weekly event.

Business operators, representatives from tourism-related organisations, along with tour operators and taxi drivers from across western Jamaica, turned out to enjoy the offerings at the launch.

According to Leanne Arnal, an entertainment promoter from Canada, who is in Jamaica assisting in organising the excursion attraction, the event was long in coming and is filling a void in western Jamaica, in general, and the parish of Hanover, in particular.

Heartbeat of Jamaica

“I have worked in Canada with reggae singers from Jamaica for many years, and what we have realised is that there is a great need in Jamaica for some more live reggae music, because people from all over the world travel to really feel the heartbeat of Jamaica, which is reggae music ultimately,” she told The Gleaner.

“So we wanted to offer them a nice cultural event that really encapsulates reggae music with the Jamaica food, and Jamaican drinks, and a little bit of culture. So we want to really offer a weekly excursion, an experience for people travelling who can actually come here and feel real reggae music on the (Wednesday) afternoons,” she stated.

She mentioned that the weekly affair will offer an opportunity for the exposure of local reggae talents and other cultural offerings.

“When people gather here (at Sky Beach Bar and Seafood Grill), [they are] supporting the artistes and the musicians, and even producers who are working in the reggae music industry, helping to make sure that they are getting an opportunity to be exposed. And also when the visitors leave the island, they will take that experience with them and encourage [others] to purchase the works of the entertainers abroad,” she stated.

Arnal explained that the afternoon experience will be open to locals and tourists alike, at a cost of US$80, inclusive of transportation to the event.

She said the event will take some time to become a household brand, but the Sky Beach location, being a Jamaica Tourist Board-rated location, will help in that area.