The 21st annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival
On November 12, 2023, was the 21st annual Grace, Jamaican Jerk Festival at the Miramar Regional Park in Broward County.
This was my first time back to this event in over 10 years and it was a pleasure to attend. There were many things to get into at the Jerk Festival, presented in association with Publix Supermarkets — a Kids Zone, VIP section, a Culinary Pavillion and many areas to taste food and drink options by Grace Foods.
The Djs kept the crowd moving throughout the evening, rocking to Reggae, Dancehall and Soca, from back in the days to today’s hits.
The Arts & Crafts and Clothing vendors, along with Radio station booths and informative corporate exhibits knew how to interact with the attendees through games and giveaway fun! The food was definitely both Quality and Quantity — from samples of Grace items all over the venue to the various Food vendors in the Food Court.
It was like a huge Jamaican family reunion with some other Caribbean cousins mixed in. Everyone was holding their own in a corner with their crew, eating drinking and laughing until later in the night when most eyes was on the main stage. I saw grandmas, uncles, moms, and aunties cliqued up; also, generations of mothers, kids and grandmas danced together, all in family fun.
The main stage announced the winner of the Chef Clash Challenge that happened earlier in the day, as Darian Bryan, Jamaican-born chef, now based in Upstate New York
After the Patty eating contest, that was narrated, comically by Christopher ‘Johny’ Daley, the Main Stage went alive with an energy packed performance by Ding Dong along with the dancers of the Ravers group, followed by Grammy nominated Reggae artist out of Bermuda, Collie Buddz and Grammy Award winning Reggae group, Morgan Heritage. There was a small time constraint that required some of the artistes to leave the stage earlier than expected – something I hope the festival organizers push to improve in the future.
With all that the festival had to offer, I’m sure everyone went home fully satisfied and looking forward to next year’s event.
Tisha ‘Ms. Petite’ Myrie