Police, Council Working With Organizers for Park and Shuttle, Plus Traffic Changes Near Plantation Cove Venue
ST ANN’S BAY, St Ann; July 14, 2026
The St Ann police and the St Ann Municipal Corporation (SAMC) are seeking to assure the public that the hellish traffic snarls that normally attend public entertainment events in the parish will not be evident at this Saturday’s staging of Sumfest at Plantation Cove.
Sumfest, dubbed the greatest reggae show on earth, is being staged at Plantation Cove near Priory, Saturday night, July 18, 2026, after it was moved from its original home in Montego Bay when Hurricane Melissa damaged the Catherine Hall venue.
People in St Ann, including those far away from Plantation Cove and other regular big show venues near Ocho Rios and Discovery Bay, have repeatedly complained bitterly over the heavy traffic congestion and indiscipline that turn roadways into parking lots and add hours to regular commutes within the parish. The North Coast Times has reported on several of those occasions and events.
In a release on Tuesday, July 14, the police said a large gathering was anticipated; hence, “temporary traffic management measures will be implemented to facilitate the safe and orderly movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.”
On the two-lane North Coast Highway outside the venue itself, police said there would be four lanes along the Priory main road.
- Travelling westerly, the left lane will be used by motorists proceeding towards Runaway Bay .
- The middle westbound lane will be used by motorists turning right into the venue.
- Motorists travelling easterly towards Priory/Ocho Rios direction will use the middle eastbound lane.
(Outside the venue, looking east, major changes will be made here for Saturday’s show)
There will be paid parking at the venue itself, which police have said can take 5,000 cars.
PARK AND SHUTTLE
In addition, there will be park and shuttle services at Pearly Beach near Dunn’s River, at Seville Great House near Priory and, in the west, at Discovery Bay for those attending the show.
There are also reports that the organizers are far advanced in talks to get two additional lanes open at the toll plaza, which has been a traffic bottleneck on show days.
Police say signs will be erected along the North-South toll road, St Ann’s Bay, Discovery Bay and Ocho Rios main roads directing patrons to each parking lot.
Dozens of traffic personnel will be deployed along the roadways, and members of the public are being advised to follow their instructions.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of St Ann’s Bay, Michael Belnavis, says the SAMC’s traffic-mitigation strategy is focused on minimising the volume of private vehicles on the road network while facilitating the efficient movement of patrons. He told JIS News that the Municipality is “at a very high level” in its preparation, underscoring the urgency of coordinated efforts among local authorities, event organisers, and law enforcement
