Tonight the Catherine Hall venue for the sixth staging of Reggae Sumfest will come alive after hectic final preparations earlier in the week. Dancehall night kicks off the three days of stage shows with International nights one and two tomorrow and Saturday. All roads and even the airway lead to Sumfest for these three days.
After you've "partied to the max", says Air Jamaica, they'll be glad to do the same for the ride back home. To be on the ride to Mobay, passengers are required to check in at the Tinson Pen aerodrome at least forty-five minutes before the scheduled flight time. Weekday flights are scheduled for 8:00 am (you probably would have already missed that one) 10:00 am, 12:15pm, 2:45pm, 5:30pm, and 6:30pm. On Saturday the scheduled times are 10:00am, 2:45pm, and 5:30pm, unless Air Jamaica decides to accommodate patrons with additional flights.
By mini-bus it's about J$350 to Montego Bay, and the ride takes approximately four hours we are told. Of course this option is if you are not averse to boarding a bus downtown and having to stop numerous times during the journey.
Boarding for the MoBay-bound bus is at the West Street terminal south of the Coronation market.
Driving to MoBay? Remember the North coast highway is under construction and detours are numerous at some sections. The unfamiliar twists and turns can easily lead the unsuspecting off the correct path, especially if it is dark. In short, try to travel in the daytime if you are not accustomed to the road. And when you've arrived in MoBay, as with any major event, parking will quite likely pose a problem. With this in mind the promoters have made preparations for over 500 cars to be parked inside the venue, according to production manager Martin Lewis.
For those over-nighting in the second city, accommodation at the major spots are, for the most part, all taken. Half Moon Hotel, one sponsor of the event, has reported fully subscribed rooms. And from the high-end Ritz Carlton to the modest Wexford Court on the Hip Strip the Wednesday report is similar.
Oh, tickets! If you have not already bought, apart from at the gate, there are at least eight official outlets around the city - Sundaze, Pier One, El Paso Records, Coral Gardens Shell, Fairview Texaco, Wexford Court, Ironshore Esso, and Smart Shoppers. Good Luck.
