Western region could host part of Festival Queen competition

Interim Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Orville Hill, said the agency is looking at ways to stage more national festival events outside of Kingston.

He noted, for example, that a segment of the finals of the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition could be held in western Jamaica.

"The ideal thing is for our national events to be shared more outside of Kingston, where they have been concentrated historically. We want to have greater involvement in national events in different regional areas," he said.

The Miss Kingston and St Andrew Festival Queen coronation was held recently at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre, where Leneka Rhoden took the crown.

GREAT EXPOSURE

She will join other queens, who were selected during individual parish competitions, in competing for the national title at a grand coronation show in Kingston.

Meanwhile, Hill is encouraging young women to participate in the Festival Queen Competition, noting that it helps to develop their talents and "prepare them for the world."

"It gives them great exposure and a wide range of experiences," he said, noting that a number of participants have gone on to have successful careers in various fields.

There are two western coronations still to come. One will be on Saturday at the Sean Lavery Faith Hall, Lewis Street, Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland, beginning at 8 p.m.

The other is the following day, on Sunday, at the Falmouth cruise ship pier, Trelawny, beginning at 8 p.m.