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SUMFEST MAKES PLANS TO EXPAND VENUE - Organisers don’t intend to move show from Montego Bay

by

Shereita Grizzle - Staff Reporter
July 23, 2019
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Above: Chronixx performing on the first night of the festival.
Above: Chronixx performing on the first night of the festival.
Rochelle Powers (left), Dwayne Simpson, and Carita Mitchell were definitely having fun.
Rochelle Powers (left), Dwayne Simpson, and Carita Mitchell were definitely having fun.
From left: Matthew Stagg, Polly Stagg, Michaela Stagg, and Maya Stagg hang out on the Catherine Hall field.
From left: Matthew Stagg, Polly Stagg, Michaela Stagg, and Maya Stagg hang out on the Catherine Hall field.
The Strong One, Etana, was not at the wrong address.
The Strong One, Etana, was not at the wrong address.
Right: It takes a lot of energy to come out in this kind of medieval gear, but Elephant Man was not short on that.
Right: It takes a lot of energy to come out in this kind of medieval gear, but Elephant Man was not short on that.
Dancehall Queen Spice definitely had to ‘Cool it Down’ after her performance.
Dancehall Queen Spice definitely had to ‘Cool it Down’ after her performance.
Dalton Harris performing at Reggae Sumfest 2019
Dalton Harris performing at Reggae Sumfest 2019
Chris Martin enjoyed himself and entertains the massive gathering from the Sumfest stage.
Chris Martin enjoyed himself and entertains the massive gathering from the Sumfest stage.
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With the curtains closed on this year's edition of Reggae Sumfest, plans are already being put into motion to extend the Catherine Hall venue for next year's festival.

This follows news that this year's festival pulled the largest crowd turnout in the concerts 27-year history.

There has not yet been a release of the official numbers but with Minister of Culture and Entertainment Olivia 'Babsy' Grange reporting that some 8,000 tourists visited the island for the show, it seems the venue far exceeded its 18,000 capacity.

Robert Russell, one of the festival's director, said that the logistics team is already seeking out ways to increase the size of the venue.

"There's no denying that the festival is growing, because this is the biggest staging we have had since its inception in 1993. We have outgrown the venue and so, most definitely, we have to find ways to make the space bigger in 2020 because we really do not want to move the festival from Catherine Hall. This is the home of Reggae Sumfest, so we have to find other options," he said.

"Maybe we have to look at pushing some of the stalls further back, setting up the venue in a different way, one that will allow more space. Maybe we have to take some of the mangroves beside of the parking and so on. We just have to work on it, and we will.

"Its going to be a challenge, but we don't want to move Reggae Sumfest from Montego Bay. It is good for tourism, vendors, everyone. This festival is perhaps even bigger than Christmas in Montego Bay. The people look forward to it so much, because they earn so much from it," he continued.

Earlier this year, Montego Bay Mayor, Homer Davis, told the Jamaica Information Service that the Jamaica Tourist Board-sponsored event was expected to generate some US$12 million in earnings for the city.

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