Little Ochi, a popular Jamaican ‘beauty spot’ has become the venue of many celebratory events over the past two to three decades. This site on the sea- coast near Alligator Pond in St. Elizabeth is one of the cooler spots to relax, dance and eat when you wish to get away from townships, fancy restaurants and formality. There is no need to ‘dress-up’, the sand is good for your feet and so is the sea- water as you can always take a swim while you wait on your order to be prepared.
It has become a regular spot for people who celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, mother’s, father’s and children’s day and more recently, Seafood Festival on July 8th. With the festival celebration, there is more partying and games as there is always a much bigger crowd than there would normally be on other Sunday evenings. The whole-day affair lasts well into the late evening and is indeed a move away from similar activities held at other spots.
The food line-up includes fish of various types, lobsters, shrimps and crabs – when in season. The conventional preparation is done for shell- fish, but all other fish is done to your choice- fried, steamed or roasted. These are served with festival and bammies and of course, there is pickled onions and pepper in vinegar at hand to spice up your dish. There is also cool drinks, beer and harder liquor, whichever you desire. Festival day incorporates much dancing, games, swimming, eating, drinking and just ‘letting the hair down’, as the saying goes.
This year’s festival was not as well supported as some other years because many people who would have attended went to Kingston to attend political meetings instead. Nevertheless, the occasion went off, got a reasonable support and those who were there had fun as usual.
