Dancehall artiste and dancer Ding Dong proved the consummate showman at last Sunday’s staging of the Grace Atlanta Jerk Festival. Along with his Ravers Clavers dancers Bravo and Trey they unleashed a dancing frenzy which saw patrons taking turns in their attempts to out-dance the group.

The festival took place at the Southeast Athletic Complex in Lithonia, Georgia, USA.

During his hit-laden set, Ding Dong called on a few children on stage and engaged them in an impromptu dancing competition. This went down well with the crowd comprising a mix of nationals from the Caribbean and North America.

With sweat streaming down his face, Ding Dong left no stone unturned in ensuring patrons got value for their money. Songs, including Shoulda Fi a Fling, Yeng Yeng, Genna Bounce, Flairy, Happiness, Bad Man Forward Bad Man Pull Up, Stir Fry, and the summer anthem Holiday, were delivered with rapid fire.

“I like these events because the youths dem come out early and they wait on their favourite artistes to perform. Whenever I forward out to do these types of events I have to incorporate the kids. Baby, teenagers, young adults, and mature people, they all want to have fun, and that’s what we are here to provide. Big up Grace, the other sponsors, and the organisers for a job well done,” Ding Dong disclosed in an interview with the Jamaica Observer post-performance.

During his set, Ding Dong also incorporated soca music. This he said was strategic in Caribbean integration.

“We’ve been representing the world for so long. A lot of people lean to the Caribbean for our vibes and energy. We represent the culture, and anywhere we go the culture is first and foremost. I always incorporate soca with dancehall energy and vibes. It’s just a great feeling,” said Ding Dong.

Destra Garica, the sole female headliner among the cast, said she was excited to be a part of the great line-up and was grateful for the support.

“What I notice is that Jamaican people love me worldwide, and I appreciate that. I can never stop thanking Jamaicans for the love they give to me,” Destra shared in an interview backstage shortly after her performance.

She continued: “The vibe here is the same that I get whenever I am in Jamaica. I didn’t expect that in Atlanta we had enough Jamaicans that love soca so much to behave so badly. But I know that when I come to Jamaica the people behave naughty, bad and I love that.”

Destra ran through her hit list, which included the all-time favourite Lucy, Max it Up, Just a Little Bit, and Call My Name.

Reggae artiste Gyptian was also a crowd favourite. Before he drew on the Billboard-charting hit Hold Yuh, he got a warm reception from his recently BPI-certified silver single Wine Slow, Nah Let Go, Mama Don’t Cry, and Beautiful Lady. By the time he touched Hold Yuh, the crowd had taken on choir duties.

“It’s a good look. More people come out so more people can hear the message. And fi di fact say di young people dem come out, we get fi intertwine and introduce dem to our music,” said Gyptian in an interview with the Jamaica Observer shortly after he exited the stage.

He said, “From all the sweat and hard work you get true results. I kept it short and spicy, but you also leave the women wanting more. It was really a good vibe and I had a good time on that stage tonight. The reception that I got from the people was a good look.”

Broadcaster, comedian and actor Christopher “Johnny” Daley was a crowd-pleaser as he delivered rib-tickling comedy.

Vendors did brisk business as they sold not only jerk meals but also art and craft items.

Jamaican June Bromfield, a first-time vendor at the 18-year-old festival and who represented Back Yaad Flava, said business was good.

“I’ve always attended as a patron, and I was asked by people to come and sell food because they said I can do it. So I decided to do it even though in previous years I avoided it, but it really has been good. I can’t complain,” said Bromfield.

Her restaurant is based in Fairburn, Georgia.

Dwayne Scott, who once resided in Linstead, St Catherine, said it was his first time participating at the event as a food vendor. The Wah Gwaan Caribbean Cuisine Restaurant operator agreed with Bromfield that business was good at the jerk festival.

“This is our first year representing here at the jerk festival and it’s been a real pleasure. The turnout has been really good,” said Scott.

Asked how he got involved in the event, he said “I’ve always been doing food. I was a truck driver and when trucking went down I started selling food. People kept telling me that the food is good, so I started doing gigs here and there. I heard about this event, and I decided to try it out.”

Sponsors also gave the event the thumbs up.

Horace Hines, general manager, JN Money Services, a member of the JN Group said: “We have been involved in the Atlanta area for the better part of 10 years. We have been participating in the Atlanta Jerk Festival for seven years. It’s one of the events that brings Jamaicans and Caribbean people together… It was a no-brainer to come back on board and to participate.”

Suzette Rochester Lloyd, chief representative officer at VMBS in Miami, for her part: “Festivals such as these you see Jamaicans from all over coming out to enjoy themselves. We are here to celebrate Jamaicaness with our fellow Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica.”

Inside the Publix Culinary Pavilion, two cook-offs took place. Media personality Jody Ann Gray won the Quickfire Celebrity Cook-off, while Chef Scotley Innis of Continental Atlanta won the Celebrity Chef Cook-off.