The Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival may have shifted venues this year, but its spirit — and its purpose — landed squarely where it mattered.
Reimagined as a one-day benefit concert at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, the event delivered for St. Elizabeth, the island’s breadbasket parish and one of the communities hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa. A portion of the proceeds will go toward rehabilitating Jamaica’s agricultural sector, adding weight and urgency to a festival that has always championed the people who keep the island fed.
Music anchored the ten-hour celebration, with early sets from Fiyaneer and Skygrass warming up the crowd before the night’s main run of performances. Turbulence was the first of the major acts, bringing a charged, roots-heavy set that shifted the festival into high gear. A surprise pop-up from Richie Spice sent the audience into a roar, followed by a polished performance from Agent Sasco, who kept the momentum tight and the energy climbing. Capleton closed the night with the kind of blazing, high-voltage set that felt like a full-circle salute to both the festival’s legacy and its mission. And although Christopher Martin was unable to perform due to injuries from an incident in Sierra Leone, he showed up in person, settling into the audience to support the cause.
The festival doubled down on its roots across the grounds. A farmers market showcased fresh St. Elizabeth produce — a reminder of both the parish’s importance and its ongoing recovery. Sixteen artisan booths lined the venue, highlighting standouts such as The Flour Girl Ja, Gloria’s Seafood, TacBar, Puzzles by SG (creators of a Jamaican jigsaw puzzle game), and local clothing brand Free Up Clothing. Worthy Park Rum kept patrons circulating with tastings, while the Food Village featured over a dozen vendors serving crowd favorites. In the VIP zone, Ashebre the Experience elevated things with a luxury spread featuring a live pasta station, peppered shrimp, ginger-scallion dishes, herb-roasted pulled chicken, and complimentary cocktails that made the lounge feel like its own intimate festival.
The audience was just as notable as the entertainment. Minister of Agriculture Floyd Green made an appearance, joined by Senator Aubyn Hill, entertainment mogul Romeich Major, Dream Weekend’s Scott Dunn, and Love Island USA Season 7’s Bryan Arenales, who has been spending time in Jamaica. Hosts DJ Bambino, Fyahman, and Jade the Gem carried the program smoothly, keeping the pace sharp from afternoon to close.
In the end, the festival didn’t just relocate — it reaffirmed its mission. Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae proved that even when its home parish is shaken, its cultural heartbeat remains strong. And this year, that heartbeat pulsed for St. Elizabeth’s farmers, reminding everyone why this event matters far beyond the stage.
