Patrons attending the 2007 Houston International Festival (Ifest) will get a chance to be up close and personal with things Jamaica.

Returning to the festival after a two year absence, Brand Jamaica will be a featured entertainment zone at the festival which opens in the bustling downtown Houston (Texas) metropolis in the area of Bagby Street, the Upper and Lower Sam Houston parks, Tranquility Park and Allen Parkway, for four days, spread over two weekends, April 20-22 and April 27-29, 2007. Start time is 1:00 pm each day.

Managed by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), the Jamaica zone will showcase the very best of the island’s eclectic culture and tourist fare in entertainment and cuisine.

Festival goers will get a first hand, close up of ‘Port Royal’ complete with a pirate ship, costumed pirates, a pirate stilt walker and oversized pirate puppets, a chance to book their next vacation in paradise at one of the many JTB information booths, enjoy non-stop pulsating reggae rhythms, visit the Gypsy Market for a sampling of premium art and craft items or, explore the world of the great reggae icon and most famous Rastafarian Robert Nesta ‘Bob’ Marley at the one of a kind Bob Marley & Rastafari Exhibit booth.

Started in 1971 as a small arts happening the festival has grown into a multi-cultural spectacle, attracting in excess of one million patrons.

To better celebrate Houston’s emergence as an international city - the fourth largest in the USA – the celebration became the Houston International Festival in 1987.

The festival’s ‘international’ spotlight will this year shine on the beautiful and ancient country of China. Jamaica was the featured country last year following their debut appearance as part of the Caribbean consortium in 1998.