KINGSTON, Jamaica — Despite seasonal rain, the Grace Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival this September drew the largest crowd in its eight-year history.

The annual event was held on September 1 in Decatur, an Atlanta suburb. Founder Glen Simmonds estimates 12,000 people from Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, New York and Canada attended.

Approximately 35 vendors, mainly from Atlanta, presented a variety of jerked products.

“The most satisfying aspect of the festival is the manner in which the community continues to embrace the event,” Simmonds said.

“It was a joy to see thousands of people braving the thunderstorms to attend.”

He told the Jamaica Observer that although rain has put a damper on proceedings since 2011, there are no plans to reschedule the event.

“The present date was selected because it is the Sunday before the Labour Day holiday and most people don’t have to work the next day. We just hope that Mother Nature will smile on us next time.”

Atlanta caterer Leroy Pennant won the Grace Foods Atlanta Top Jerk Chef Trophy. Donald Roberts, owner of Juci Jerk Restaurant, another establishment in the Georgia capital, was runner-up.

The 2013 Grace Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival was coordinated by the Atlanta Montego Bay Sister Cities Foundation and the DeKalb County, Georgia Health Department.

–Howard Campbell