May Pen

History

 

May Pen is one of the largest towns in Jamaica and is the parish capital of Clarendon. The town was created in the 18th century on land belonging to a cattle estate owned by a Rev William May, who came to Jamaica as rector of the Kingston Parish Church. Named for the estate, May Pen is said to have first existed as two inns located across from each other on opposite banks of the Rio Minho. Here, travellers were forced to stop rather than risk traversing the raging river, which was then unbridged. Once a bridge was constructed, May Pen became a popular and fashionable place to live for the landed classes of the interior, and today the town is the fifth largest metropolitan area on the island. On weekends, the town is infused with activity, as hundreds of people from rural Clarendon swarm to the various shops and markets to buy and sell. The heart and soul of May Pen, however, lies in the numerous sports teams, and throughout the year hundreds of people throng to the various venues to watch and support their favourite football, netball or track and field teams.

 

Local Flavour

 

In the May Pen vicinity are some of Jamaica’s premier educational institutions, including the Vere Technical and Glenmuir High schools, Clarendon College and the May Pen Primary School, the largest primary school in the Caribbean. The three secondary schools enjoy an ongoing rivalry in education and sports, and in recent years have brought home the National Schools’ Challenge Quiz Trophy a number of times.

 

Famous For

 

Held over the first weekend in August each year, the Denbigh Agricultural Show is the largest event of its kind in Jamaica, attracting thousands of farmers, shoppers and curious onlookers. Each year, “Denbigh” is the largest and most exciting event to take place in Clarendon, as May Pen is usually a sleepy rural town. 

 

Don't Miss

 

Every visitor to May Pen should really budget time to stay for a “Sunday ball game” featuring the hometown favourites, Hazard United Football Club. Hazard is a National Premier League team that dominates the central region. However, despite its loyal and enthusiastic following, the team has only won the championship once, in 1992. The games, held at Brancourt on the Four Paths Road leading out of town, are highly spirited and well attended, and win, lose or draw, celebrations in town abound when they are played.

 

Say Hello To:

 

For information on historic or contemporary May Pen, stop by the Glenmuir High School Library and ask to speak with Ms Charmaine Holmes. Ms Holmes, one of the warmest personalities around, will, with advance notice, introduce visitors to ordinary Jamaican people and give helpful directions or information on where to go and what to see in and around May Pen.