Entertainment

Record crowd for Passa Passa new year's celebration

By KANDRE' MCDONALD, Freelance Writer

PASSA PASSA, WHICH is Jamaica's major street side party, experienced a crowd that was second to none for the final day of 2003. The party attracted a plethora of people from all class and racial background.

Another surprise at the event, that is staged every Wednesday at 47 Spanish Town Road, was the time that the partying ended. Up to 11:30 a.m. on the first day of the New Year it was reported that patrons were still converged on the street.

However, the large crowd was not necessarily a plus for the event that has been growing from strength to strength. Patrons were tightly crammed together in the road making movement through the crowd a very tedious task.

Pushing and shoving

The size of the crowd also made dancing very difficult and uncomfortable for those who just wanted to enjoy themselves. Most patrons also had to endure a bit of pushing and shoving as others tried to move from one place to another.

For those on the outskirts of the massive gathering hearing the music was difficult as the sound system was not projecting that far.

All that aside, the slightly chilly breeze that was blowing across the venue did not hinder those who wanted to dress in their skimpy skin hugging attire, showcasing their assets or the lack thereof. Some of the revealing clothing showed various parts of the body and left nothing to the imagination.

The saying that there is some positive in every negative proved to be testimony for most of the vendors throughout the night. Some vendors, especially those jerking chicken around the venue, cashed in on the happenings. The jerk chicken was going so fast that patrons had to wait for long periods to get chicken.

For some of the patrons who seemed to be attending the show for the first time they looked on curiously as if trying to get an idea of what the much talked about street side dance was all about. Their expectations were to get a shot in the leg, as the normal hype was not forthcoming. Up to 5 a.m. patrons were still showing up, adding to the already large gathering.

The vibe that is associated with Passa Passa was not realized until after 6 a.m. when some of the more weary patrons began to leave and the die-hearted Passa Passa fans remained to get the party swinging.

Patrons partied until the sun was out in its glory and at 10 a.m. many loyal patrons were still enjoying the music and what remained of the Passa Passa vibe for the first day of the New Year.