Jamaica to Crown Festival Queen on July 19

On Saturday, July 19, 13 talented young women will grace the stage at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, in Kingston, to vie for the national title of Miss Jamaica Festival Queen, under the theme: ‘Jamaican Women…Shaping our Culture and our Nation’.

The competition has become one of the main platforms for young women who want to contribute to nation building, and hundreds of them have taken the opportunity to do so and have entered the competition through the parish competitions, organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) each year.

Winner of the 2013 competition, Krystal Tomlinson, tells JIS News that there are many benefits to be derived from being Festival Queen, as it opens doors for the winners in both the private and public sectors.

“You will always be a festival queen, so whenever you knock on a door having had that title, there is a sense of respect and dignity that comes with the title and no matter how far you go and how long ago you won, people expect you as a queen to always represent what is best about Jamaica and Jamaican culture,” she says.

Meanwhile, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the JCDC, Stephen Davidson, points out that the winner will take home $500,000 in cash prize, along with other gift items and gift packages from the various sponsors.

“The top three will get various prizes as well as all contestants will be awarded in some form,” he adds.

Like in past years, the JCDC is looking for a full turn out at the coronation. “I just want to invite everyone to come out. It’s going to be a wonderful family show,” Mr. Davidson tells JIS News.

He explains that the competition encourages the advancement of cultural awareness, talent and creativity. “The JCDC seeks to create within the entrants an awareness of the contribution they can make to national development,” he adds.

Tickets for the event are available at the JCDC’s head office at 3-5 Phoenix Avenue, Kingston 10; on its website at www.jcdcjamaica.com, or at the JCDC’s parish offices islandwide. A presold ticket will cost $900, while at the gate it is $1,000 for adults and $400 for children.

Public sector workers will be able to buy their tickets for $800, with each person allowed to purchase two tickets. They will have to present their identification card, pay stub or letter from their employer.