Miss Yam Festival Samantha Nichols is flanked by first runner-up Dana-Marie Bullock (right) and second runner-up Shakera Lemonius. - Contributed

TROY, Trelawny:

After a one-year hiatus, the Trelawny Yam Festival returned with a bang on Saturday at the Troy High School despite rain curtailing some activities.

The rains, which signalled the breaking of a drought, however caused a less-than-anticipated attendance. While most events were held, the popular yam hill-digging contest was abandoned.

The rain did not affect the crowning of Miss Yam Festival and a bumper crowd came out to witness the event. At the end, it was 19-year-old student Samantha Nichols, wearing the sash Miss Mozzella Yam of Wire Fence, who copped the crown. In taking the crown, she also won the sectional congeniality prize. Second place went to Dana-Marie Bullock with third to Shakera Lemonius.

Hugh Dixon, executive director of the Southern Trelawny Environmental Agency, the body hosting the festival, believes the second event of the festival today at the Hague Agricultural Showground will be the most exciting.

The highlight

The Yam Culinary Competition is slated to be the highlight of today's activities and will showcase professional chefs from hotels and resorts, and individuals and groups developing an array of cuisine from yam in various categories in hopes of being adjudged top chef.

Also, the Roots Village will highlight Rastafarian delicacies from yam and the holistic culture and lifestyle of roots communities.

The cultural concert will boast the best-performing cultural groups from across the country in an all-day stage performance. Then, the Best Dressed Donkey Parade will be led by a popular marching band and will be judged off crowd acclaim.

richard.morais@gleanerjm.com