‘No traffic congestion this year’, say Sumfest organisers, police

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Organisers of the highly anticipated ‘A Taste of Sumfest’ set for July 18 at Plantation Cove in St Ann say that traffic congestion will not be an issue this year due to strategic planning.CEO of Downsound Entertainment, Joe Bogdanovich, made the declaration at the recent official launch of the event.“We understand that a world-class event is not defined solely by what is on stage. It is shaped by every interaction leading up to and throughout the event. That is why our team has been working extensively on traffic management, transportation coordination, parking solutions and patron flow. We want the journey to the venue to be as seamless as possible, allowing patrons to spend less time navigating logistics and more time enjoying what they came for,” he told members of the media and sponsors at the event.A Taste of Sumfest will see dancehall favourites Vybz Kartel and Mavado on the same stage for the first time since 2008.The annual festival attracts over 30,000 patrons from around the world each year. Following this staging, part proceeds will be invested into helping to rebuild St James, and by extension Catherine Hall—where the festival was held for over three decades— following the passage of Hurricane Melissa last year.Organisers were also keen on reiterating that no patron or member of the media will be allowed onto the premises on July 18 without a pass or being accredited.Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dr Gary McKenzie, echoed similar sentiments with regard to the police force’s heavy involvement on the day of the event.“For patrons coming from the east— that’s Edward Seaga Highway through Priory to the venue— what we will do is ensure that there are no obstructions. I know that there is some amount of anxiety, especially within the vicinity of Priory, so we will ensure that those areas are sterile to the extent that there will be no obstructions. I can assure you that that will be done,” ACP McKenzie said.“From the western side, we will ensure that coming from Discovery Bay towards the venue, the same will apply,” he added.