The Jamaica Star :: Entertainment :: North Coast party getaway

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

'Rain on me!' These partygoers enjoy the activities at a recent RTI event. - Contributed

When the party scene gets played out, promoters and partygoers turn to the sun, sand and sea for a different non-stop party experience.

Twice a year, the tourist resort areas of Ocho Rios and Negril get the full dose of patrons flocking for weekends of back-to-back partying. Each weekend, hotels are packed with young, skimpily clad persons searching for the next beach bash. Drawing crowds in the hundreds, Ocho Rios Easter Weekend and Negril's ATI/RTI weekend have grown to become the 'must-dos' of party weekends.

Easter Weekend (March 22-23) hosts a large number of beach extravaganzas such as Beach J'Ouvert, Daydreams, Jamaica Youth Festival, 11 Degreez, Pull Over, Quench, Secrets, Luau, Rapids, Shorts Circuits and more.

The ATI/RTI weekend hosts at least 20 parties combined over Independence weekend in August, including Wildsides, Pretty In Pink, Twisted Spiritz, Yush, Pip N Ting, Delano's Birthday Bash, Day-dreams, among many, many more.

Escape

With eyes glued to the stage, it was all fun for this patron at Bacchanal Jamaica Presents Caribbean Luau Night. - Winston Sill

Kamal Bankay, RTI promoter, says the concept of weekend getaway parties comes from the idea of escaping both Kingston and the everyday party scene.

According to Bankay, for RTI, the location of Negril is the perfect set-up for a weekend of uninhibited partying as it offers venues that are close and convenient to hotels where patrons can stay overnight. "It's very convenient for partygoers, you pay one set of money for room and board and another set of money for partying. It's very hedonistic, free experience, you can get up and walk to the next party," he said.

Bankay explained that the parties in Negril and Ocho Rios are 'featured events' that have built a reputation over the years. He said, "It's about the heat, the beach and cooling down, these parties embody all of those things. The women get to wear their swimwear and there's the difference of partying in the daytime, you can stay and party with friends one time, one place."

For Lawrence, who has been going to both weekends for years, anything goes, He told the STAR, "People think of country parties/weekends as a place where anything goes, no parents, no work, no stress, no school. They treat the weekend as if their last breath is about to gasp," he said.

Renée* told the STAR that she cannot miss Easter weekend. "I've never missed one unless the world turns and sumting drastic happens, so I won't be missing it. The all-inclusive packages comes with a great setting and it's also affordable. The price is worth it," she said. Bankay agrees, stating that for RTI, none of the all-inclusive parties cost more than $3,000 compared to similar parties held in Kingston.

As the time draws near, party persons and promoters alike are gearing up for the upcoming party weekends.

*Names changed.