Reggae singer Dwayne Stephenson is set to headline the inaugural Negril Food Fest, which is scheduled to take place at the Mi Yard Restaurant and Bar on West End in the resort town tomorrow (Friday, December 15).
Stephenson will be joined by other acts from Negril including Anthony Able, Kyng Sharlo, Jah Bless, Yanks, Iyakasha and the Tumorrow Band, Prince J, Mystic 1, Reggae Maxx and others during the stage show aspect of the event which commences in the night.
According to Eaton Owens, the event is being staged by a coalition of small business owners, including himself, in a bid to spark the revitalization of the once-vibrant Negril West End.
The businessman told Negril Times that it is hoped that the food festival will be catalyst for the area’s rebirth and will help to restore its vitality and tourist destination status.
“Initially we thought about this because what we want to do is to bring back the West End into some form of activity and festive ways,” Owens told Negril Times.
“We are bringing all the food vendors and all the craft vendors to come and display and showcase their goods and their wares. And to top it off, we have a big artiste at the end of the day you know Dwayne Stephenson, with the Cottage in Negril (song) to come Rock the place. So hear what, you come for the food and you stay for the music,” he added.
Continued Owens: “We will be having a Rasta Village kind of set-up here so you will expect ital which is vital… treat your medicine as your food and your food as your medicine”.
The cost to enter the event is US$15 and US$20 at the gate. VIP entry is US$35. Gates open at 10:00am; showtime 9:00pm.
Watch Negril Food Festival pre-event interview below:
