The St Elizabeth Parish Council and Black River Chapter of the St Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce partnered for the annual Black River Day held on Saturday, July 30.
The event is described by organisers as the “biggest street festival in Jamaica”.
At its fourth staging guests were treated to activities including a kiddies’ village, gospel concert, daytime street party, carnival village, night stage show, and opportunities for shopping.
GT Taylor, public relations officer and past president of the Black River Chapter of the chamber, said that the event was initiated as a way to bring business to the town and place a focus on the parish in general.
He said that Black River Day has grown since its initial staging.
“It has grown tremendously. Every year it gets bigger,” said Taylor.
This year, he said, the gospel concert and a carnival village were added for the first time.
For Taylor, the event is also a way to showcase different aspects of the parish’s culture.
He said that by having the event this time of the year the Emancipation Vigil can be incorporated into the activities, and ensuring that businesses benefit as much as possible is always an important considerations.
Taylor added that he is hoping that in the future the day before Emancipation Day will be the fixed date.
He said that the aim is to have Black River Day becoming a “world-class street festival”.
