More Than 250 Exhibitors for Denbigh

More than 250 exhibitors are expected to participate in the three-day Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, being staged by the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, at the Denbigh Showground, Clarendon, from July 31 to August 2.

“We are expecting a fantastic show over the three days,” JAS President and Chairman of the Denbigh Planning Committee, Senator Norman Grant, said.

Addressing a JIS ‘Think Tank’ recently, Senator Grant noted that there will also be an international flavour, with participants from the Caribbean, the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

“This year’s Denbigh Show is significant to the JAS, which is celebrating its 120^th anniversary, and as part of the celebrations, 120 farmers will be honoured for their contribution to the agricultural sector,” Senator Grant said.

The late Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, will also be inducted in the JAS Hall of Fame for his contribution to the growth of the sector and his support for the ‘Eat What You Grow’ campaign.

There will also be a nightly entertainment package, which will close each day’s activities. The coronation of the National Farm Queen is slated for July 31; the Digicel Rising Stars Finalists will be in concert on August 1; and closing the Denbigh show is the Denbigh Gospel Extravaganza on Sunday, August 2, featuring Carlene Davis, Kevin Downswell, Goddy Goddy and many more gospel artistes.

Another highlight of the show will be the daily devotions. “We are collaborating with ‘Prayer 2000’, so each day we will have a devotion led by Rev. Nalia Ricketts, President of Prayer 2000, who will say a special prayer for the nation’s children,” Senator Grant said.

“We condemn attacks on the nation’s children , and we think that every single Jamaican needs to join together in this thrust to protect  every child. The JAS  and Denbigh will be doing so  during the Denbigh show and this will be a campaign that will be sustained,” he added.

Senator Grant said that adequate security and upgraded facilities will be in place to make Denbigh 2015 a ‘wow’ experience.

Sponsors for this year’s show include Jamaica Broilers, Digicel, Fidelity Motors, Delta Supply Company Limited, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Newport Versan.

The Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show is a hallmark event that has been embedded in the unique culture and the broad fabric of the Jamaican farmer from as early as 1952. The show is staged annually by the JAS as part of the country’s Independence and Emancipation celebrations.

This year’s show will be held under the theme: ‘Grow what you eat…Eat what you grow – Making Agriculture Sustainable’.

Gates will open daily at 8:00 a.m. and admission is $800 for adults and $300 for children.