Bigga Little Ochie Seafood Carnival, Alligator Pond in Jamaica 2011

Come the second Sunday of July and the sleepy fishing village of Alligator Pond will come alive to the Bigga Little Ochie Seafood Carnival. The village has been hosting the festival for the past thirteen years and this year will be even bigger.

Seafood enthusiasts can indulge themselves in style over a three day period from 8 to 10 July at The Little Ochie, the most laid-back restaurant on the beach. Alligator Pond, with one of the longest fishing beaches in Jamaica, is situated on the South Coast, in the parish of St. Elizabeth, just about thirty-five kilometers from Mandeville.

Friday the 8^th July has been dubbed “Seafood After Dark” to encourage people to come and enjoy the variety of seafood, music and bonfires on the beach and to jam with friends after work.

Saturday, July 9, will witness the final catch and weighing of the lionfish tournament in Alligator Pond. The tournament which began on Sunday, June 26 involves fishermen from three fishing villages: Alligator Pond in Manchester, Rocky Point in Clarendon, and Whitehouse in Westmoreland. Their catch will be weighed and recorded over the two-week period under the supervision of representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture. The final catch will then be added to the total to determine the winning fishing team.

Sunday, the final day of the festival, will give visitors the opportunity to enjoy a wide assortment of seafood dishes and lots of lively music by Byron Lee's Dragonaires. The highlight of the day will be the Lionfish and Celebrity Cook-off in which the best or most interesting lionfish recipe presented by individuals, students or chefs will be judged.

Guests at Jamaica villas and Jamaica Apartments can easily reach the venue and enjoy the sea food festival in which sumptuous dishes will be served in real family settings.