Trelawny Yam Festival Sports Day 2005 and 2006

The cool hills of south Trelawny are known as the yam producing basket of Jamaica and yams produced here are exported throughout the world. The farmers who produce the area's yam crop use only a fork and a machete to plant yam on steep hillsides and strength and endurance are necessary traits to be successful at this labor intensive farming method.

In 1997 Yam Festival's Sports Day was conceptualized as a tribute to the physical characteristics of the farmers who were the original inspiration for the Festival. Seven years later TYF Sports Day looks to be the biggest and most exciting staging of the event with two new competitions scheduled.

On Sunday, March 27, the cool hills of Albert Town, Trelawny will come alive with a day of sports and entertainment. The day starts out at 10am with the 50K Cycle Race. The Cycle Race starts on the north coast in Falmouth and winds its way south into the Cockpit Country to the finish line in the heart of Albert Town. As the cyclists start out on their race to Albert Town, the 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament tips off at Albert Town High School and runs throughout the day. Along with the basketball tournament there will be a 3-point shooting contest and a slam dunk contest along with fun competitions for spectators to participate in. At 12pm the 4K High School Relay Race begins near the community of Rock Spring and at 2pm the 10K Road Race will start at the Warsop Police Station.

Both races end at the Albert Town finish line. Cash, trophies and prizes such as sports equipment, gift certificates and hotel passes will be given to overall competition winners and winners in various categories.

TYF Sports Day 2005 looks to ramp up the Yam Festival atmosphere as food, music, vendors and sponsors will be on hand throughout the day and into the night while Festival organizers prepare for Grand Yam Festival Day on Easter Monday, March 28. Entry forms and additional information can be obtained at www.stea.net/tyf2005.htm or by calling the Yam Festival Office at 610-0818.