Jamaica Rum Festival Coming To Montego Bay In June After All Restrictions Lifted

Last Updated 1 year ago

Rum lovers rejoice as the 2022 edition of the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum Festival returns to an in-person hybrid event, with both digital and physical components. The physical event will take place on Saturday, June 25, 2022, following Jamaica’s relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions in April. The festival will be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, at Harmony Beach Park.

This year, the event is being hosted in the tourism capital of the country in order to attract more attention and visitors. Edmund Bartlett, the Tourism Minister, believes that the location is perfect for what they are trying to achieve with this festival. “[Jamaica] is the fastest-growing tourist destination following the COVID-19 recovery. No wonder Montego Bay was voted the second most popular city in the world, second only to Punta Cana with a growth of 136 percent,” Bartlett said.

The Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, through its agencies the Tourism Enhancement Fund and Jamaica Tourist Board, is presenting this significant milestone for the entertainment industry’s full reopening in partnership with Appleton Estate. Pietro Gramegna, Director of Marketing for J Wray & Nephew Ltd, explained that rum has an inseparable link to Jamaican culture.

“The lesson learned from last year’s virtual experience has enabled us to get better at digital engagement. This will remain, sustaining our long-term global reach: from Jamaica to the world! And, on top of that, this year we will be live from our new home, Montego Bay, the country’s tourism capital, where we expect to have more visitors from abroad coming to Jamaica,” Gramegna said. “We look forward to reigniting the spirit of personal connections in a controlled and responsible manner, which has not been easy to plan with a fluctuating covid positivity rate over the past couple of months.”

This year’s Jamaica Rum Festival will take place in a physical setting, allowing attendees to engage with the rums on offer directly. According to festival director and CEO Valón Thorpe, this is a return to form after last year’s successful pivot to a virtual event. Over one million people tuned in to watch last year, and Thorpe hopes for even more engagement this year. Jamaica’s rum industry has a storied history, and Thorpe wants visitors to be able to experience that first-hand.

The Jamaica Rum Festival will feature presenting sponsor Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, as well as other Jamaican rum brands, including the 90-year-old Spirits Pool Association Limited, Worthy Park Estate, Monymusk Plantation Rums, Hampden Estate, Rum Fire, National Rums of Jamaica, Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, Rum Bar, and Kingston 62.

The Jamaica Rum Festival is a unique event that exposes attendees to the rum-making process and the rich Jamaican culture that surrounds it. Through interactive seminars, demonstrations, and live entertainment, festivalgoers will learn about Jamaica’s rich history with rum and how it continues to play an important role in the country’s culture today. Jamaica’s finest rums will be on display at the festival, allowing visitors to sample some of the island’s best. With so much to see and do, the Jamaica Rum Festival is sure to be a memorable experience for all who attend.

There will be a variety of cultural events during the festival that will allow locals and tourists to learn more about the country’s heritage and culture. This will be an excellent opportunity for people to experience Jamaica’s unique customs and traditions. Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to attend the event as long as they are 18 years or older.

Tickets are to be made available soon, and those interested in attending can follow the social media handle @jarumfestival for updates as soon as they are made available. Ticket prices have not been posted, but in 2020 were around $12 US for a day pass and $24 US for a weekend pass. The Jamaica Rum Festival is a great event for rum lovers, foodies, and music and entertainment lovers. With world-class rum tastings, delicious food options, and exciting music and entertainment, the Jamaica Rum Festival has something for travelers and locals alike.