MONTEGO BAY, St James — THE inaugural staging of the Rainforest Seafood Festival will be held at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex in Montego Bay on Ash Wednesday.

Organisers of the one-day festival are hoping to raise $5 million from the event, which will go towards the We Care for Cornwall Regional Hospital Foundation.

We Care is a non-profit, philanthropic organisation dedicated to remedy the regional hospital's dire need for additional manpower, basic health care equipment and infrastructual upgrades.

So far, the organisation, which was established just over a year ago, has raised roughly US$140,000 under the initiative.

Speaking at the launch of the festival at the Sandals Montego Resort in Montego Bay on Tuesday, Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson commended the organisers for the planned fund-raising event.

"I am very happy to see that the proceeds for the festival will go towards Cornwall Regional Hospital and that the festival itself will be an excellent one because of the sponsorship and the artistes that will be performing," he said.

He stressed the importance of a public/private sector partnership, which, he noted, will make a difference in the provision of quality health care.

Meanwhile, a number of vendors from the Hellshire, Middle Quarters and Port Royal areas of the island will be among those highlighted at the festival.

The event will also feature a very impressive entertainment package, including stilt walkers, dancers, face painting, ground rides, and an organised children's village.

Performances by Ken Boothe, Beenie Man, I-Octane, Romain Virgo, Tifa, Chronixx, and Prodigal Son, also form part of the rich entertainment package.

"The festival will be an epicurean delight and will highlight the best of Rainforest's diverse seafood offerings through well-known restaurants and chefs," organisers say.

Comedians Ity and Fancy Cat will host the event.