( L - R ) Delicious crab, ready to eat. Curry crab. - File photos

The Clarendon Crab and Seafood Festival got off to a 'hot' start at the Vere Technical High School grounds on Sunday.

The occasion saw a magnificent display of seafood, and crab was king in the popular meals and vendors made no pretence to the contrary.

Crab, curried, brown-stewed, broiled, baked or simply boiled was on the lips of the hundreds of patrons who turned out for the day's activities.

Other dishes on the menu were fish, lobster and shrimp, prepared in a variety of ways for seafood lovers.

Sumptuous food

These were accompanied by servings of rice and peas, roasted breadfruit, yam, bammy, roti or bread. And for those too busy to eat an entire meal, they could simply have a cup of crab or fish soup.

"This is my first time at the festival and there is the potential for better things to happen; the heat is raging but the food tastes great,'' said Pamela Cephas, who had journeyed from Mandeville in Manchester.

Her views were echoed by Pat Campbell, who said more shelter was needed at the festival, although she still soaked up the special atmosphere for a day out in her neighbouring parish.

A work in progress

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC), manager for Clarendon, Cynthia Markland, told The Gleaner that the festival was work in progress and that as it grows to be a household name, it will be fine-tuned.

''It was better than last year at the other venue, however, work will be done to ease the shortcomings of this year's staging,'' Markland said.

Others who spoke with The Gleaner said they were really impressed with the day's activities.

The highlights of the day included soup, crab and fish eating contests. Organisers are expecting bigger and better things next year to fully cement the festival's place on Clarendon's calendar of events.