Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Delroy Griffiths pays close attention to his pan of special jerk sausage. - Photos by Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer

Spanish Town, St. Catherine:

Hundreds of patrons braved the rain to attend the seventh staging of the Ewarton Jerk Festival in Ewarton last Sunday.

It was a wet Windalco Sports Club that greeted persons from all walks of life, but they had more than enough to eat with the wide array of jerk products available. Jerk fish, sausage, rabbit, chicken, shrimp, lobster, the famous Jamaican jerk pork both wild and tame were there for the eating. The latter was still the overwhelming favourite of the day.

"Bwoy, thejerk pork a still the best and that's why a left all the way from Ocho Rios to be here and me gone about two pounds already," remarked Shantal, while she devoured a piece of jerk pork.

Exhibitors came from as far as Boston in Portland and in addition to the jerk products, the parish's bussu soup was a favourite with the men.

Persons also showed their genius at jerking. These included Delroy Griffiths, who claimed to be the first to do the jerk rabbit. This time it was rum jerk pork. This method saw him placing the pork not on pieces of wood but on pieces on sugar cane laid over the fire. It was indeed a winner.

The day's entertainment was provided by Nickeisha Barnes, DJ Nicholas, QQ, George Nooks, Fab Five and the host of other entertainers under the guidance of Pretty Boy Floyd and emcee Jenny-Jenny Small.

What an inviting sight! This ready-to-eat jerk pork is just what patrons come for at festivals such as this year's Ewarton Jerk Festival, held at Windalco Sports Club, last Sunday.

Bussu soup served at the jerk festival.

From left: Neva, Mellissa, Marsha and Yolande bite into something yummy at the seventh Ewarton Jerk Festival last Sunday.

Delroy Griffiths' rum jerk pork done over lengths of sugar cane rather than wood.