KINGSTON, Jamaica – Patrons, performers, vendors and sponsors who attended last Sunday’s staging of the 18th annual Grace Atlanta Jerk Festival, have given the event the thumbs up.

The event which took place at the Southeast Athletic Complex in Lithonia, Georgia, in the US saw a massive crowd in attendance.

Guyana native Neville James, who has been residing in Atlanta for the past 10 years, attended the event with his wife and two sons.

“This is our third time coming and it’s always a good time for us. We enjoy vibing with other Caribbean nationals and the entertainment value is really good,” said James.

His wife Nordia chimed in, “our sons wanted to come so why not bring them along? They have been having a good time and they are big fans of Ding Dong.”

A trio of ladies, Michele Tingle, Michelle Fennell and Faith Brown, were seen among the throng of patrons. They indicated that they were enjoying themselves and couldn’t miss the event which they attend each year.

Waving a Bahamian flag, Denise Thompson was lost in Destra’s hit song Max It Up.

“The vibes right. I am having a blast,” she said.

US Virgin Islands recording artiste Rudy Live said it was her second time performing at the event.

“I came to represent the Virgin Islands and all the Caribbean women. From the time I touched the stage, it has been non-stop vibes. The people were singing the songs, I definitely loved the feedback,” said Rudy Live.

Sasha Dream is originally from Red Hills Road in Kingston. She performed in the early part of the performance segment.

“It was beyond amazing. I loved every single minute of it. I love to see our Jamaican people here enjoying themselves and coming out to see us perform,” said Sasha Dream, who has been residing in Georgia for the past two years.

Sabrina Chan-Pong, the regional marketing manager Atlanta division for Publix, expressed delight at the event.

Publix is a first-time sponsor of the festival.

“This is our first time being involved in the Atlanta Jerk Festival and the association has been great. It has been so much fun, hopefully this is a partnership that will last for a time,” said Chan-Pong.

For her part, Saniah Spencer, chief marketing & product development manager at JN Group, said she appreciates the fact that her company was able to interact with Jamaicans living within the Atlanta area.

“I love the fact that JN is able to interact with so many Jamaicans living in Atlanta, as well as Jamaicans across the diaspora. JN is a strong brand that likes to connect with Jamaicans wherever they are. And so, today we get to share with our fellow Jamaicans and friends what JN has to offer across the group, banking, money transfers and the array of services that we offer,” said Spencer.

Operator of Alfrettas Conch Shack, Angela Wiley, was among the vendors who catered at the festival.

“A gentleman introduced me to this event, it’s my first year participating. I plan to return next year. It was beautiful. You see the long lines of persons waiting to be served? We put love into everything that we do, and I make everything fresh to order, even my conch salad,” said Wiley.

Antonace Nembhard was busy dealing with a line of customers inside her Kgn 20 Restaurant stall when we stopped by.

“Its been going good so far. The support has been overwhelming,” said Nembhard.

The restaurant, she said, started out in New Jersey 15 years ago.

– Kevin Jackson