The West Virginia University Alumni Association and the President’s Office for Social Justice are once again teaming up for a special spring tailgating event. JamaicaFest 2003 is set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26, prior to the annual Gold and Blue Football Game at Mountaineer Field.

Last year more than 300 alumni, fans and friends enjoyed jerk chicken, jerk pork and other Jamaican favorites as tent city turned tropical. This year, the WVU Steel Drum Ensemble will add their festive Caribbean-style music to the occasion.

Jennifer McIntosh, WVU executive officer for Social Justice, is a native of Jamaica and will work closely with the chef, Jeff DeMoss, to prepare her special blend of Jamaican foods.

“It is a labor of love,”McIntosh explained.”I love to introduce people to authentic Jamaican food, and to do so for a worthy cause such as student scholarships makes it all very worthwhile,”she continued.

“Last year, we didn’t quite know what to expect,”said Stephen Douglas, CEO WVU Alumni Association.”The first time you try an event, you never know. But when hundreds bought tickets for JamaicaFest, we knew this would become a part of our alumni traditions.”

Tickets, which are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 years old and younger, are available beginning at 10 a.m. on the day of the event on a first come, first served basis. Proceeds from JamaicaFest benefit scholarship funds at WVU .

For more information, call the WVU Alumni Association at 304-293-4731.