Guided by the theme 'Jamaican Women Shaping Our Culture' the occasion was marked by a display of colourful and lively performances from guest performers and the 13 parish queens. The contestants, all queens in their own right, made the first of three appearances in long dresses, depicting aspects of their individual parishes. Before they made their entrance, a moat door was lowered unto the recreated courtyard of one of Jamaica's premier historical sites, Fort Charles.' and through the door they emerged, to tumultuous applause from a partisan audience.
