Montpelier Agricultural Show Set for April 9

The 17th staging of the Montpelier Agricultural, Livestock and Industrial Show is set to take place at the Montpelier showground in St. James on Easter Monday, April 9.
At a press briefing held at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) office in Montego Bay on January 19, President of the St. James Association of Branch Societies, Glendon Harris, explained that planning for the event was at an advanced stage.
“This event will bring farmers, horticulturalists, craftsmen, related agencies and others from across the island to exhibit their various products, and to compete in a range of competitions. The exhibits will include livestock, birds, fish, craft and a variety of other local products,” he said, adding that 12,000 patrons are expected at this year’s show.
Mr. Harris pointed out that the planning committee has put together an expense budget of approximately $2 million, for which they were seeking sponsorship. “The plan is that we are going to be staging the best agricultural show in the western region,” he stressed.
Mr. Harris noted that profits from previous shows had been used to carry out on-going improvements to the showground, the property of the JAS.
“So far, the showground has been the chief recipient of proceeds from the Montpelier Agricultural show. When we started utilization of the showground, we used to have to spend exorbitant amounts of money in preparing it to host the show,” he said.
“Over the last six years we have been constantly investing in the showground, and that has increased its value, and has made it much easier for us to put on a show there,” he added.
Admittance to the show will remain the same as last year, with adults expected to pay $300, while children will be charged $100.