Patrons, including the donkey riders, make their way to the Annual Emancipation Day Donkey Racing in Top Hill in St Catherine.

The annual Donkey Racing in Top Hill, St Catherine, went on despite patrons crying for better organisation of the festive event.

Despite travelling from several parishes to attend the festivity, which is in its 18th year, persons want the organisers to put up better fencing and surfaces for the 'beast of burden' to entertain the hundreds of patrons.

"While we like to see the donkey races in Top Hill, the time has come for it to be moved into a big event where persons can come and feel safe in watching the events in a more organised atmosphere instead of us jumping out of the road each time donkeys run towards us," Michelle Brown, a resident of Croft Hill, Clarendon, said.

Her views were echoed by many who attended the annual August 1 event.

Among the concerns were guard railings, sponsorship, and general safety mechanisms that should be in place for both patrons and promoters.

Promoter, Percival Bair, said that while the festivities brought a sense of harmony to the community, there was need for more corporate sponsorship for it to be more successful.

"I took it over after persons stopped doing the racing, however, each year it gets bigger, and I now find that there is a need for it to have a better structure for us to benefit as a community and persons to feel safe and welcome here," Bair said.

During the day's proceedings, amid intermittent showers, patrons were kept on their feet as several riders brought the house down on their donkeys, showing their riding skills, justifying why persons continue to turn out at the event.

Patrons watch as these two men participate in one of the many races.- Ian Allen photos

A man ties the reigns on a donkey as he prepares it for a race.