Fri | Oct 3, 2025

Coffee festival still hot and strong

Published:Wednesday | March 6, 2024 | 12:07 AMPaul H. Williams/Gleaner Writer
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Ras Padam in his solo début performance at last Saturday’s coffee festival at Newcastle in St Andrew.
Paul H Williams
Ras Padam in his solo début performance at last Saturday’s coffee festival at Newcastle in St Andrew.
The winner of the barista competition, Romel Bailey of Café Blue, addressing the audience after dethroning last year’s winner Ricardo Jackson, also of Café Blue.
Paul H Williams
The winner of the barista competition, Romel Bailey of Café Blue, addressing the audience after dethroning last year’s winner Ricardo Jackson, also of Café Blue.
Dr Carey Wallace (fourth from left), executive director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, organisers of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival; and Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill (second right), look on as Tourism Minis
Paul H Williams
Dr Carey Wallace (fourth from left), executive director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, organisers of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival; and Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill (second right), look on as Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett addresses the audience at last Saturday’s coffee festival at Newcastle in St Andrew.
These dancers getting the people to move to several hit songs from the past and present.
Paul H Williams
These dancers getting the people to move to several hit songs from the past and present.
A section of the crowd that braved the rain at last Saturday’s coffee festival at Newcastle in St Andrew.
Paul H Williams
A section of the crowd that braved the rain at last Saturday’s coffee festival at Newcastle in St Andrew.
The Charles Town Maroons Drummers and Dancers out of Portland in a riveting performance at last Saturday’s coffee festival at Newcastle in St Andrew.
Paul H Williams
The Charles Town Maroons Drummers and Dancers out of Portland in a riveting performance at last Saturday’s coffee festival at Newcastle in St Andrew.
Smith’s Rum Cream’s Sherane Palmer displaying three flavours, including coffee, at last Saturday’s coffee festival at Newcastle in St Andrew.
Paul H Williams
Smith’s Rum Cream’s Sherane Palmer displaying three flavours, including coffee, at last Saturday’s coffee festival at Newcastle in St Andrew.
Independent bartender Kareen Dixon serving her coffee-infused cold beverage made for the coffee mixology contest at last Saturday’s coffee festival at Newcastle in St Andrew.
Paul H Williams
Independent bartender Kareen Dixon serving her coffee-infused cold beverage made for the coffee mixology contest at last Saturday’s coffee festival at Newcastle in St Andrew.
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IT RAINED on the parade grounds of Newcastle on Saturday, March 2, but the cool water from the sky, the slight mist and the chilly temperate could not dampen the spirit of those who were at the 2024 Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival. And, it seemed like many patrons were actually enjoying the weather, in addition to all that the ‘sold-out’ event had to offer.

The Charles Town Maroon Drummers and Dancers, Ras Padam, Silver Birds Steel Orchestra, D’Burnz and the DMG Band, Amanyea, Alaine and the Dwight Richards Band, the mixology and barista competitions served up a variety of entertainment that produced much warmth.

But it was a group of four dancers, dressed in the Jamaican colours, that really brought the heat into the space. In addition to their own performances, they got people moving to the rhythm of current and past hit songs.

The rain could not stop the parade nor keep the fire from blazing. For what is a festival without food, traditional Jamaica food?

It was all there, for sampling and for sale. Whatever it was, patrons and producers indulged, and dropped whatever they could into complimentary blue-and-white bags. And the coffee? From Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett’s hat, hot and cold beverages, pastries, condiments, skincare products, it was everywhere. Apropos it was coffee’s day, when non-coffee things were also in the mix.