Trelawny Spirit Shines Through Rain at Annual Reunion Weekend in New York
Nyack, New York - Despite heavy rain and gloomy weather conditions, the spirit of Trelawny remained unshaken as hundreds of Jamaicans gathered in New York over the Memorial Day weekend for the 47th annual Trelawny Reunion Weekend, a celebration deeply rooted in heritage, fellowship, and community pride.
The rain could not stop Trelawnyians from showing up at the 47th staging of the Trelawny annual reunion picnic held at the Rockland County State Park in Nyack, upstate New York. Sunday May 24th, 2026. (Photo by Derrick Scott)For more than four decades, Memorial Weekend in New York has become synonymous with the Trelawny Reunion, drawing former residents of the parish from across the United States, Canada, Jamaica, and the United Kingdom for a series of social activities culminating in the famed annual picnic at Rockland Lake State Park in Nyack Rockland County, New York.
This year’s staging, though impacted by persistent rainfall, still reflected the enduring bonds and resilience of Trelawnyians in the Diaspora.
A number of activities were organized throughout the weekend to celebrate the occasion. On Saturday, the William Knibb Memorial High School Alumni hosted its annual Memorial Weekend barbecue at Jumieka Grand on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, attracting scores of past students and friends of the institution. Later
that evening, patrons turned out in elegant fashion for the annual “All White Trelawny May Come from Party,” held at Orions in the Bronx, where music, laughter, and camaraderie carried late into the night.
Sunday’s annual picnic remained the marquee attraction. Undeterred by the inclement weather, patrons arrived armed with umbrellas, raincoats, tarpaulins, and tents, determined to continue a tradition that has become a cherished cultural institution among Jamaicans overseas. Picnickers began streaming into Rockland Lake State Park as early as 7 a.m., and by 8 p.m. many were still inside the park enjoying the fellowship and entertainment. Organizers said the curtains finally came down around 9 p.m., as the spirit and camaraderie flowed freely throughout the day.
Although attendance was smaller than in previous years — when the sprawling park would normally welcome between 6,000 and 8,000 patrons — the festive atmosphere endured as families and friends shared meals, exchanged stories, rekindled old friendships, and welcomed new faces into the fold.
The annual picnic has grown tremendously from its humble beginnings over 47 years, when only a handful of families from Falmouth Horace Harrison, Wendell Stewart, Linval Brown, Richard Chambers, Eli Nish, Mr. and Mrs. DK Mullings, Peter HoShing, Danny Shirley & John Brown – got together in the HoShing/Harrison’s backyard on the Memorial Weekend Sunday for a there picnic
Thus, was born an annual event. This expanded to Rockland Lake State Park for an annual day of fellowship. Today, it stands as one of the largest parish reunion events in the Jamaican Diaspora calendar in New York.
Even with the rain, the aromas of authentic Jamaican cuisine filled the air, from roasted Trelawny yellow yam and saltfish to jerk meats sizzling on barbeque grills under makeshift tents. Laughter echoed throughout the park as generations of Trelawnyians celebrated their roots and shared the warmth for which Jamaicans are known.
“This never gets old. Each year when I step into the park it almost feels like I am stepping back in time to see countless friends who I grew up with and know,” said longtime attendee Mr. Milton Rowe originally from Falmouth.
“Our stories never end, and the good feeling stays with me until I return the next year,” he added.
Former Diaspora board members and one of Falmouth Outstanding sons who now resides in new jersey Patrick “Foody” Beckford shared his thoughts “ This event will never cease in spite of unsettling weather conditions people and their family showed up. He shared with the reporter how when the crowd grew larger by the
year how in 1991, he was approached by the Park Police director to take a permanent spot at the park. This was the first important sign that we were growing, from Friends from Falmouth to the entire parish. We now see groups from Clarks Town, Duncans Sherwood, Salt Marsh, Wakefield, Jackson Town, Stewart Town and South Trelawny gathered. Many Trelawnyians come to the US South America, UK, Canada over the years, as well as Jamaica’s Ambassadors – members of the Diplomatic Corp.
Beckford mentioned a bit of disappointment with the commercialization with a mini bend-down market, casting a shadow on the initial concept of a family fun day foundation been overshadowed with these activities, and mentioned he hope to remind the new leadership, that our events should avoid the Profit concept at the expense of our roots – family gathering.
Maryland resident Baldwin Huie, who hails from Clark’s Town described the reunion as one of the highlights of his year.
“Can you believe I can walk from one end of the park to another and be invited to a friend’s picnic table for a meal at no cost? That is truly the spirit of Trelawny and Jamaica,” he said.
The reunion weekend also serves as an important opportunity for networking, fundraising, and strengthening ties between Trelawny and its Diaspora community.
Over the years, the event has supported several community development initiatives in the parish.
Among the distinguished guests at this year’s staging were Falmouth’s Mayor Colin Gager and Councilor for the Martha Brae Division Roydell Hamilton, who both joined patrons at the reunion celebrations and commended the organizers for preserving Jamaican culture and strengthening the bonds among Jamaicans living overseas.
Activities continued on Monday, Memorial Day, with the William Knibb Memorial High School DCUP annual “Wear Your Favorite Jersey” barbecue at Wilson Woods Park in Mount Vernon. The curtains eventually came down on the reunion weekend Monday evening with the staging of Tala B. Scarlet’s annual backyard get-together in Queens, New York. The event attracted hundreds of Falmouth natives and friends, with food and drinks flowing well into the night before festivities ended shortly before midnight.
Even as patrons departed the various events, many were already speaking excitedly about next year’s reunion. Several who were unable to attend this year have reportedly pledged to return in greater numbers for the next stage, further underscoring the enduring appeal and significance of the annual Trelawny Reunion Weekend.
The annual Trelawny Reunion Weekend continues to stand as a testament to the enduring connection between Jamaicans in the Diaspora and the communities they left behind, proving once again that neither distance nor rain can dampen the pride and camaraderie of the people of Trelawny. Of note Patrick Beckford announced that within days a book he penned will be published titled “Children of Martha Brae” showcasing the activities of the Trelawny Diaspora and the picnic in USA & Canada.
