Frenchmen 30th Heroes Weekend exceeds expectations

Amid showers of rain and a delay in the start of last weekend's Foreplay event, Brett Wong, events manager of Frenchmen, is elated that the 30th staging of the event exceeded expectations.

"We are very happy that we had a sold-out weekend. Our patrons had a great time, and we delivered on the premium service. The rain gave us some challenges on Sunday, but we were able to adapt, and by all accounts, everyone's expectations were exceeded, including our estimates," Wong said following Sunday's staging of Foreplay, the final event on the Frenchmen Heroes Weekend calendar.

Jamaicans and visitors alike have, for decades, fallen for the premium, food-inclusive events, which also include Rise Up and Nitecap. Wong is pleased with the support received not only from patrons, but also from sponsors.

"We couldn't be happier with our partnership. Frenchmen and Appleton Estate Rum have a long history together, and we have come full circle with both our brands and a new stage of evolution," he said. The Frenchmen events were started by Wong's father and friends at his house when he was 16, and they have since changed the whole entertainment industry.

"All our events changed the way bars worked and how they catered food. People started going to New Year's Day parties instead of New Year's Eve parties. In years gone by, we would have hosted a beach party at Frenchmen's Cove in Portland, and it is what evolved into Sunday's event, Foreplay," he said.

For Kamal Powell, marketing manager, Appleton Estate, the highlight of the event for him was the culinary options.

"The Frenchmen party series is one we look forward to at every staging. The food options are always top-tier, the cocktails are always exceptional - which is expected with partners such as Appleton Estate, Aperol Spritz, and Campari. Also, the vibe - simply unmatched," Powell said. He also applauded the Frenchmen team for achieving the milestone of 30 years.

"Thirty years in business and bringing premium experiences twice a year to patrons is not an easy feat, and they have managed to maintain their brand's image and keep their loyal patrons happy," he said.

The next Frenchmen Rise Up event will be held on April 30, 2024.