As has become a tourism/ leisure tradition on the local shores, the stage is once again set for entertainment seekers to enjoy Jamzone Summer Break was officially launched yesterday in the boardroom of the Ministry of Tourism.  

The Hits and Jam’s group noting its successful start in 2000 said as is customary they will be adding more to the offerings this year. Permanently part of the Tourism calendar of events this the group is presenting the inaugural Jamzone Summer Break Weekend which features four days of entertainment and leisure activities aimed at attracting domestic and international tourist.

With full endorsement from the Tourism Ministry, over the years the Jamzone Team comprising entertainers Rawle & Dwight Ferguson and Kerwin Bollers garnered support from major corporate citizens.

Probably the largest summer (August Holiday) event for the past eight years this year it has been transformed into the inaugural four days Jamzone Summer Break Weekend and the promoters anticipate that their events may attract no less than ten thousand patrons for the planned four days of events.

Three nights of concerts begin on August 27^th at the National Stadium featuring local and regional artistes and will conclude on August 30^th with usual festivities at Splashmins Fun Park and Resort.

The to transform Jamzone into a four day event the hits and Jams group decided to take on the task after a meeting with other promotional groups hosted by President Bharrat Jagdeo “to create a more touristic buzz for our country.”

On August 27, the first night of concerts will feature the best of best in the Chutney business– Kenneth Salick, Neesha B, Ravi B, Anil Singh and Karma Band.

August 28 will be the Reggae & Dancehall night that will feature Dancehall acts such as Busy Signal along with Mr. Vegas and Peetah Morgan. In addition several local acts will be incorporated in the interest of providing them with a platform.

The final concerts concert night will be all out soca feature regional and international Soca Sensation out of Trinidad including Machel Montana, whose arrival is long overdue in Guyana.

He is the main act while opening acts will include Patrice Roberts, Zann and Farmer Nappy.

Pageant

On August 30 the annual Miss Jamzone Beach Pageant will witness platforms from delegates under the theme “Community Based Tourism”. This year the delegates will be expected to highlight many of the touristic attractions in Amerindian and H8nterland communities such as Annai, Suruma, Nappi, Rewa and Fair View amongst others.

One of the major features of the Hits and Jams promotion to date they have crowned eight beauties; six of them have driven away with cars and one with a Motor scooter.  Six second place finishers took home motor scooters and one beauty took home a laptop computer.

Using the pageant as a stepping stone some of the local beauties have gone on to represent Guyana on the international scene at the Miss World and the Miss Tourism International pageants.

This year 15 beauties have made the shortlist from more than 55 applications including a banker and several University of Guyana Students.  

Other attractions

More than just a pageant, Jamzone Summer Break 2009 attractions include beach games and water sports through which participants pocket cash prizes totaling three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000). Some of the most popular games include the limbo, the strong man, balloon bursting and couples competitions as well as various eating competitions. And who can forget the kissing games and the dare drinking?

Sponsors

Jamzone Summer Break is a family event that attracts thousands including international tourists and annually sponsors increase. This year the line up include Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company, Ansa McAl, Demerara Distillers Limited, Banks DIH Limited and Hits & Jams Television.

“Hits & Jams Entertainment continues to strive to bring the best of local, regional and international entertainment to Guyana and to continue to work with the Ministry of Tourism in an effort to take tourism in Guyana to higher levels.