Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Spanish Town:

This year's annual Linstead Ackee Festival will have several significant changes: venue, a schools competition and date. And, the promoters insist that this will not compromise the quality array of offerings.

The festival, now in its fifth year, is slated for October 20 at Marsingh Garden, near Kentucky, Linstead. This, for easy accessibility to the public when compared to the former grounds of the Dinthill Technical High School.

Ruby Tenn, secretary for the Linstead Development Area Committee, is convinced that the changes are for the better.

"This year the festival will be special because the children will be a major part of the competition. There will be a cook-off where schools within the area compete for prizes," she said.

Tenn added that the festival was rescheduled from its customary August date due to several other competing festivals.

More support

"The ackee festival will enjoy more support hopefully... seeing that ackee is identify with Linstead in more ways than one," she said.

Alpha Rowen and Christopher Martin will headline the entertainment package for the evening.

More than thirty stalls will be on hand displaying various ackee products.