Montego Bay Jerk and Food Festival set for August 1 at Catherine Hall

St James will again host the Montego Bay Jerk and Food Festival on Saturday, August 1, when the event stages its 17th edition at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre.

Launched in 2009, the gathering has expanded into a draw for food enthusiasts, families, tourists and Jamaicans living abroad. Organisers have framed this year’s programme around the theme ‘Bringing Hope through Food & Culture’, a message given extra weight after Hurricane Melissa left the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre badly damaged and prompted speculation that the festival might lose its familiar venue.

Festival Organiser John Lindo said neither cancellation nor a move to another site was ever on the table.

“There was never a moment where we considered walking away. Yes, the damage to Catherine Hall created real challenges for us, and there were people who doubted whether we could pull it off this year, but that doubt only strengthened our resolve,” Lindo said. “The Montego Bay Jerk and Food Festival exists because of the people of this city, and those people deserve a show. We made a commitment to them, and we intend to honour it. August 1st is going to remind everyone exactly why this festival has stood for 17 years,” he added.

The festival is partnering with the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) to repair and ready the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre so guests can enjoy a full festival experience.

“Because this city built us, and we owe it everything. Bringing Hope through Food & Culture is not just a theme; it is exactly what we intend to do. Returning to Catherine Hall is about more than hosting an event; it’s about honouring that relationship. Our theme reflects exactly what we want this festival to represent for our city and our country,” Lindo explained.

Planners say they expect the day to uphold its reputation for assembling top food vendors, business operators and crowds, backed by live dancehall and reggae sets from Skippa, Ayetian, Alaine, Felony 1T9, Top Banks and other acts.