By Lincoln DePradine
The 2024 Toronto Caribbean Carnival is over. But, not the summer of Caribbean festivals and performances in the city by Caribbean artistes.
Among other events carded for this month are Jamaica Day, Grenada Day Celebration and TD JerkFest – the annual International Jerk Food and Music Festival.
JerkFest begins this Friday, August 9, and runs until Sunday, August 11, at Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Road, Etobicoke.
Caribbean Promotions Arts and Culture (CPAC) Inc., organizer of the event, has promised “an entertaining line up of international and local artistes to hit the TD JerkFest stage with soca, dancehall and reggae vibes”.
The weekend of “entertainment festivities”, according to CPAC, begins Friday night with “new-generation dancehall sensation Masicka. Dancehall artist Ding Dong will be joining Reggae Queen Marcia Griffiths, and Soca Star Farmer Nappy, on Saturday, August 10, and Sunday, August 11”.
Within two weeks of JerkFest, there will be the hosting of Grenada Day in Toronto and Jamaica Day in Brampton.
Jamaica Day, described by organizers as a “family, food and music festival”, with promises of “fun activities for adults and children”, is being put on by Sunshine Talent Program (STP).
STP, a non-profit organization, has been responsible for the staging of Toronto Jamaica Day since 1991.
Hewitt Loague, public relations officer for STP, told The Caribbean Camera that arrangements are proceeding well for the festival, saying more details will be disclosed next week.
“We’re planning a press conference for Tuesday, the 13th,” Loague said.
This year’s Jamaica Day is Saturday, August 24, and Sunday, August 25, at Brampton Sports Park, 7575 Kennedy Road.
STP calls it a “vibrant and unforgettable celebration”, and a “spectacular tribute to the rich culture, history and spirit of Jamaica”.
The two-day event allows patrons access to such things as authentic Jamaican cuisine; an arts and craft market; egg and spoon race; an adult dance-off; face-painting and storytelling for children; and “back-to-school giveaways”.
However, the main attractions at Jamaica Day are expected to be the live musical entertainment.
Among the stellar cast of entertainers will be Sanchez, Mikey Spice, Jay Douglas, Papa Michigan, The Manhattans, and Majestic Warriors Band.
Tickets to Jamaica Day cost $50 each. However, STP is offering discounts on tickets to “early bird” buyers and those purchasing in advance of the event.
In addition, there’s a “community appreciation sale”, where a person can buy three tickets and get one free of cost.
Ticket outlets are located in Brampton, Toronto, Mississauga, Scarborough and Malton.
Further Jamaica Day information is available by calling 647-891-4749.
Grenada Day in Toronto coincides with this year’s observance of the country’s 50th anniversary of independence from Britain.
Unison Joseph, treasurer of the Grenada Day Cultural Association (GDCA), estimates that organizers are about “90 percent” in readiness for the event, with all the requisite permits secured.
The entertainers will include at least three former Grenada Calypso Monarchs – Black Wizard, Inspector and Flying Turkey.
Grenada Day Celebration, an annual event launched in 2006, is a program of arts, craft and food, as well as live entertainment.
GDCA’s mission, it says, is “to showcase the rich heritage of our Tri-island State of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to the Diaspora and beyond, through our diverse food, music and culture”.
The Grenada Day Celebration is Saturday, August 24. Like last year, it will be held at Coronation Park, 2700 Eglinton Avenue West.
For more information on the Grenada Day Celebration, call 647-706-7254.