The sound of music between overs, the aroma of food drifting through the stands, and the sight of friends raising a toast after a boundary once again became familiar scenes at Sabina Park during the recently concluded West Indies-Sri Lanka series.

 While the cricket produced moments of triumph and disappointment, the historic party stand — now reimagined and rebranded as Mound Mania — transformed the venue into a celebration of Caribbean culture, camaraderie and entertainment, providing a premium all-inclusive experience that harkened back to an era when the Mound represented the heartbeat of cricket entertainment in Jamaica.

From the opening One-Day International on June 3 to the final T20 International on June 14, Mound Mania kept the atmosphere alive, ensuring patrons had much more than cricket to enjoy. Although the West Indies endured disappointment in the ODI series, with Sri Lanka claiming the contest 1-0 after rain affected two of the matches, the hosts returned days later for the T20 leg and rebounded in emphatic fashion, securing the series 2-1 and giving supporters the finish they had hoped for.

For many fans, however, the memories created extended far beyond the scorecard.

“I remember going to a cricket match years ago and really enjoying the party stand experience, but for a while that atmosphere disappeared,” said patron Matthew Jones.

“Coming back to Mound Mania brought back those memories. It reminded me why I loved watching cricket in that setting. It made me enjoy cricket even more because I was reliving that experience all over again.”

“The Mound was once regarded as one of the most iconic party stands in the Caribbean, particularly during the 2007 Cricket World Cup at Sabina Park, when Kino and I were part of that experience,” said director Sean Green. “To witness glimpses of that same excitement and energy once again was incredibly rewarding. That was always our objective, and we’re only just getting started,” he added.

The original Mound gained international acclaim during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, when cricket and entertainment combined to create one of the most distinctive spectator experiences in the Caribbean. Under its new identity, Mound Mania has sought to preserve that legacy while introducing a refreshed experience for a new generation of supporters.

Throughout the six-match series, patrons enjoyed an all-inclusive experience featuring food, premium beverages, networking opportunities and a soundtrack curated by Renaissance Disco — the same sound system whose music helped define the atmosphere during the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Delano, DJ Jerome, Niney TopStryker and DJ Enzo kept the energy high throughout the tournament, while Red Stripe selector Niney Badness added another layer to the festivities.

Even when rain interrupted play during the ODI leg of the series, spirits inside the party stand remained high. Weather delays and abandoned matches became opportunities for patrons to socialise, dance and enjoy the entertainment while awaiting updates from the middle. Rather than dampening the mood, the interruptions reinforced the communal spirit that has long defined cricket in the Caribbean.

The experience extended beyond the boundary ropes. Large display screens allowed patrons to arrive early and follow FIFA Club World Cup fixtures before the evening contests, effectively transforming Mound Mania into a sports and entertainment hub. Food and drinks flowed throughout the day while the music ensured the energy remained constant from the first ball until long after play had ended.

For Jizell Cowan, manager of Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records, one of the event’s standout features was the intimacy created between spectators and the action on the field.

“The drinks, the food — it’s all good. And the view, it’s so close and personal. It feels like I’m in the game, like I’m actually a fielder at one point in time!” Cowan said.

The final weekend of the series delivered some of its most memorable moments. Dancehall entertainer Ding Dong Ravers and his crew brought his trademark energy and crowd engagement to the festivities on Saturday evening, while Kemar Highcon brought the curtain down on the series on Sunday. Known for songs such as So Saucy, Grand Theft Auto and Talk Bout, Highcon provided the soundtrack for supporters celebrating the West Indies’ series-clinching triumph.

The festive atmosphere was not lost on the entertainer himself.

“I pulled up to entertain Mound Mania, but then the crowd and I found ourselves cheering the West Indies right down to the wire. To perform after such an exciting victory and celebrate with the fans afterwards was truly a joy,” Highcon said.

Throughout the series, Mound Mania welcomed a diverse mix of cricket enthusiasts, corporate guests, sponsors, influencers and families, creating an environment where sport and entertainment coexisted naturally. 

For director Kino Johnson, the successful staging of Mound Mania demonstrated the impact of thoughtfully curated live experiences.

“Live sports entertainment is an art. Creating an all-inclusive experience that is both seamless and enjoyable is humbling, and we believe the atmosphere at Mound Mania played its part in rallying support behind the West Indies throughout the series,” Johnson said.

In many respects, Mound Mania represented more than the return of a party stand. It marked the revival of a beloved tradition and served as a reminder that cricket in the Caribbean has always been about more than what happens on the pitch. By the time the final ball of the series had been bowled, Mound Mania had not simply hosted cricket fans — it had restored a feeling, reaffirming the Mound’s place as the pulse of Sabina Park and restoring the spirit of cricket at Sabina Park.