The crowd braves the rain at the Trelawny Yam Festival last year. - photo by Richard Morais

FALMOUTH, Trelawny:

Hugh Dixon, executive director of the South Trelawny Environmental Agency, has said the annual, excitement-filled Trelawny Yam Festival, scheduled for this Easter Monday, was put off this year to allow for further growth in years to come.

According to Dixon, the event's organiser, there were three main reasons for the cancellation. The first, he ex-plained, was financial and stemmed from last year's low turnout which coincided with inclement weather.

The low turnout, Dixon said, was also attributed to the abrupt change of venue from the streets of Albert Town in the south of Trelawny to Hague Agricultural Show Grounds in the north.

Low turnout

Albert Town and the rest of southern Trelawny are hailed as the authentic setting and dominant yam producing areas in the country.

With the reasons for the low turnout still fresh in his mind, Dixon said the festival was one that engendered high interest among patrons and supporters, but improvement was necessary for the standard and reputation to be maintained.

"A break this year to reconstruct the show at its new venue and promote it properly for next year will be a great advantage," he said.

The festival's first show was held back in 1997. Since then, it has showcased yams in countless varieties, sizes and dishes. Many see the yam industry as an under-utilised one. However, Dixon is of the opinion that the 2009 festival will take steps toward remedying that.