Reggae Sumfest off to exciting start

Reggae Sumfest 2018 got off to a dazzling start last night in Montego Bay with its opening event, the Colourfest Beach Party, creating a major buzz for the scores of fans who turned out to enjoy the ambiance at the scenic Tropical Bliss Beach.

Against a backdrop of the colourful Caribbean Sea, the party began to take shape from as early as 6 p.m. with deejay Jigga at the control tower on the main stage, keeping the 'early birds' in a dancing mood with predominantly pulsating dancehall music.

While the male patrons were basically laid back sipping on their favourite alcoholic beverages and soaking up the music, the bikini-clad ladies were all the rage, bubbling and gyrating and basically having a ball.

Interestingly, except for the girls representing Reggae Sumfest and the various sponsors, the vast majority of the patrons were visitors to the island. Like the locals, the ladies were mostly in a dancing mood as they took turns kicking up their heels in the sand before heading into the sea, where the dancing continued in some cases.

"It is looking quite good so far," said Robert Russell, one of the top executives of the promoting team, Sumfest. "I can already see that it is going to be a fantastic week."

Reggae Sumfest's CEO, Josef Bogdanovich, who was quite early at the location, looked rather pleased as he strolled around the venue, recording video on his cell phone and meeting and greeting patrons, many of whom took photographs with him.

"I am here for a ball," said Maxine, a visitor from Belgium. "I have also wanted to come to Reggae Sumfest and here I am."

The festival will continue tonight with what promises to be a massive 'street dance' on the Montego Bay Hip Strip.