DESPITE intermittent showers, the eighth staging of the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival (New York edition) attracted a large crowd. Held last Sunday at the Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York, the event featured a day of entertainment activities, food and lots of good vibes.

Promoter Eddy Edwards spoke to the Jamaica Observer about the staging.

‘The festival was simply amazing. Despite the forecast of rain, we were still able to execute and present all that we had promised. The support from the community continues to be strong, and our outreach to the African community with the addition of Nigerian reggae act Patoranking was worth the efforts,” said Edwards. “The activities in the Culinary Pavilion was historical, with Chef Ji Cha participating and winning, plus the ladies from NY1 TV created quite a buzz leading into the festival. The presentation of the traditional cultural performances and authentic Junkanoo in the audience was another one of the highlights. Elephant Man’s performance saw patrons sticking around despite the heavy downpour, which is a true testament to the devotion of the fans.”

Entertainment on the main stage included breakout artiste Hood Celebrityy, LUST, Jahmiel, and the group New Kingston.

There was a variety of traditional and folk performances from the Braata Folk Singers, the Jamaican Junkanoo Masqueraders along with singer Andrew Clarke, Asoso International Ensemble (Afro Caribbean drummers and dancers), and a Kolors in Bloom fashion show by Kolor Mania Urban Wear.