Since 2016 is the year to ‘Get There’ or ‘Shoot Your Shot’ I had decided this was the year I was going to have my first Beach J’ouvert experience. I had heard so many good stories, I had to go, and that I did 🙂

Beach J’ouvert is one of the parties put on by Bacchanal Jamaica during our carnival season. As the name suggests it’s held at a beach,  this party’s fave attraction along with the paint!

It’s held at the same location annually, James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, St. Mary. I travelled to the location with the Gems shuttle bus service and I haffi big them up, because they were very professional and organized, the journey seemed short and entertaining with a soca mix that took us through the journey.

We arrived a little after 2pm, I walked through the gate and it felt like I was transported to a different world, a world of elite party goers. The grass seemed greener, the sun looked brighter, the wind was nice and cool, though the patrons that had already arrived lined off in the shady areas. Yes, mi did well frighten fi go the party inna country. The venue and stage decor was on point, and the view of the ocean from the beach, was just unreal. I saw that view and mentally made plans to come back to the beach with my friends.

The first order of business was to collect a hat and rag to wave, a day event couldn’t have no hat to shield us from the sun, and double as hair protection from the paint. The Dj played tunes to keep us entertained while the multitude chased down the hat that the wind kept blowing off their heads but in the early hour, the venue was still scanty so the second order of business was to start drinking 😉

Eventually people started taking to the middle of the venue, and the dancing started. When you see the paint cups being handed out it was time to run for cover or dive right into the paint 😁 The fêting continued into the sunset. I must commend Destra and Farmer Nappy because they worked the stage, I loved to see that raw energy between the soca artistes and the crowd, it pushed the party to a different level.

All in all it was lit, like I imagined, and it was worth the price too, I plan to go again next year.