Moon Author's Review
Several annual festivals draw thousands from around the island and abroad, chief among them being Jamaica Jazz and Blues (www.airjamaicajazzandblues.com) and Reggae Sumfest (www.reggaesumfest.com). The Montego Bay Yacht Club (tel. 876/979-8038, fax 876/979-8262, mbyc@cwjamaica.com, www.mobayyachtclub.com) has its share of events, including annual and biannual yacht races and a Marlin Festival. In Albert Town, Trelawny, the highlight of the year is the Yam Festival (www.stea.net/yam.htm), which is a family fun day centered on one of the island's most important staple foods, with tugs of war, beauty competitions, and, of course, music. Jamaica's Carnival season also brings at least one night of events to Mobay, with a free concert at Dump-Up Beach.
In the hills above Mobay, the Rastafarian community of Pitfour hosts annual Nyabinghi sessions, lasting for days to commemorate the coronation of the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, as well as to commemorate the Coral Gardens Massacre on Good Friday. Sadly, the area has fallen into disrepute over the last few years due to crime and violence. Visitors to Pitfour should proceed with caution.
