MONTEGO BAY, St James — The entertainment offerings in the tourism mecca of Montego Bay will be ratcheted up a notch with the introduction of a monthly event dubbed MoBay Reggae Nights, scheduled to kick off at the recently opened Harmony Beach Park on Sunday, October 30.

The event is the brainchild of Montego Bay businessmen Dwight “Debo” Crawford and Andre “Peanut” Brown.

Speaking at the launch at Pier One last Wednesday night, Crawford announced that MoBay Reggae Nights will be staged on the last Sunday of each month and will hopefully attract Jamaicans and visitors alike.

The event will provide live entertainment, gastronomy, and art.

“What we’re trying to create is an event that will showcase the best of what we have in Jamaica. I remember when I was walking on the road and I saw tourists walking, looking and looking for things to do; and while there is rum and music and other forms of entertainment, we need to have a place where somebody can go and listen to live music, spend an hour and know more about this wonderful art that we have here. And so, the birth of Montego Bay Reggae Nights,” Crawford explained.

“This will be carried out in a safe, interactive manner, aimed at highlighting the best of Jamaica’s culture, music, creative arts and our food,” he said.

According to Crawford, the event is already getting support from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), St James Municipal Corporation, Rainforest Seafoods, Outlier, Harmony Beach, and hoteliers.

Dr Carey Wallace, executive director of TEF, said the event will be a useful injection to the entertainment life of the nation.

“Putting this on is such a gift to us as a country — no wonder the TEF and the JTB are happy to be a part of it,” Dr Wallace said.

Meanwhile, Crawford has dreams that the event will inspire cruise ships to plan stopover visits.

“My vision is that one day Carnival Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean will want to stop over because there is an event that is worthy of having them spend their time here,” Crawford opined.

Dr Wallace concurred.

“As we plant this seed today it will grow and have room to grow. And I share that vision that it will let ships overnight because of it, it will let more chartered flights come in, and it will make more people decide on coming to Jamaica,” he declared.

“The event is going to be once every month and it will continue until the good Lord comes or until life is no more, but I believe that Montego Bay needs this. As a country we need balance and we need to do something here to bring ourselves up,” added Crawford.