The Kooyman Foreday Morning JAM continues its post-COVID growth, attracting 39 confirmed bands for 2024.
Corporate communications specialist with the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), Toni Yarde, revealed this year’s numbers during the launch of the event last Saturday at the Kendal Hill, Christ Church home of Kooyman.
In 2019, said Yarde, there were 29 registered bands. Last year that number increased to 33 and now stands at 39 although 42 were registered.
Foreday Morning Jam comes off on August 1, starting at 1 a.m. Queen’s Park, Bay Street and BIDC.
“Last year, an estimated 10 000 revellers were on the road for Foreday Morning. This number does not include spectators. The Jam continues to grow attracting new bands each year,” Yarde said.
She said revellers and patrons would benefit from the Bridgetown Market party zones that would be set up from Princess Alice Highway to Mighty Grynner Highway during the Crop Over climax weekend.
Bands which have hit the road for two years will again be eligible for a $4 000 subvention. Yarde said this was made possible by corporate partners like Kooyman, whom she lauded for the $45 000 investment in the Crop Over Festival.
As the NCF marks 50 years of the Crop Over Festival, Kooyman is celebrating 85 years in the Caribbean.
Chief executive officer Juri Kooyman said they were “honoured to support this proud Bajan tradition” for
a second consecutive year.
“Our Foreday Morning Jam sponsorship recognises Crop Over’s rich cultural heritage and the positive impact it continues to have on the community. Kooyman is therefore pleased to support and help preserve these traditions,” Kooyman said.
“Foreday Morning Jam provides a platform for creative expression, and we know that by investing in cultural events, we can inspire future generations to contribute and continue to build the bond of community.
“As we have done throughout the Caribbean for 85 years, Kooyman continues a tradition of community investment here in Barbados. Since establishing this megastore here at Kendal Hill, Kooyman has supported a myriad of initiatives under our social responsibility pillars of sustainability, poverty reduction, and youth and education.”
Kooyman said this year, they would be partnering with Nandi Yard and Amory “Spinny” Holder. (SAT/PR)
