A zoo, fishing pond and value added agricultural products, are the newest features of the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show this year, which will get underway from July 31 to August 2, at the Denbigh Agricultural Showground in Clarendon.
President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant said that the new features were part of this year's plan, to make the show "bigger and better" than before, and patrons could anticipate an "exciting entertainment package" that was fit for the entire family.
Patrons, he explained, would be able to view animals at the zoo, go fishing, and inspect displays of newly packaged agricultural products, an initiative undertaken by the JAS.
A champion farmer shows off his livestock at Denbigh 40.
The The JAS will be spending $10 million on Denbigh 2004, which will feature a "Farmers Market" that will allow persons to purchase agricultural produce on all three days. This initiative was introduced for the first time last year. Patrons will also be treated to a "Meat Exhibition" that will promote the best cut of meats and an "Information Technology Centre" that will allow farmers to benefit from presentations conducted by the business sector. The range of topics include production techniques, marketing, finance, and business plan development. A Science & Technology Park will facilitate institutions involved in agricultural research.
Now marketed as a Caribbean event, the Denbigh Show will have a diversified offering to include displays from neighbouring countries such as St. Kitts, Nevis, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda.
In addition, representatives from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs will be attending the event to see firsthand all that Denbigh has to offer.
Denbigh provides fun for the whole family.
According to Senator Grant, by the end of this year, Denbigh will become the premier Agricultural Showground for the English-speaking Caribbean. This new development, he stressed, was part of the JAS' two-year strategic plan to transform the show from a national event to a regional one, and consequently after a 12-month period, into an international event.
Senator Grant said that the international farm tour company, STITA, would be looking at making this new development possible, by providing lucrative packages to countries that had accepted the invitation to participate in the next agricultural show.
As part of its strategic plans for Denbigh, the JAS has drafted a "Denbigh Development Plan", with the ultimate goal of transforming the 21.6 hectares of land into an agricultural theme park that persons can visit 'all year round' whether for entertainment or educational purposes.
Emphasising that the show was a "family event", Senator Grant said that patrons could also enjoy nightly entertainment. Saturday will open the curtains on Vintage Night, a Gospel Concert will follow on Sunday, and Youth Night will close Denbigh 2004.
