Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival returns to South Florida with Christopher Martin and Baby Cham
Iwer George and Sailor Jane also headline the November 8 festival at Miramar Regional Park, which organisers say now draws more than 15,000 people.
MIAMI, United States. Christopher Martin, Baby Cham, Iwer George and Sailor Jane will headline the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival on Sunday, November 8, at Miramar Regional Park in South Florida, organisers have announced.
The annual festival, presented by Publix, will feature reggae, dancehall and soca throughout the day, with DJs Walshy Fire of Major Lazer, Richie D and Extatic Sound completing the line-up.
From 4,000 to 15,000
Billed as "The Ultimate Sunday Dinner", the event has been a fixture of Florida's Caribbean community since 2001. Organisers say it began at C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines with about 4,000 attendees and seven vendors, moved to Markham Park in Sunrise in 2005 and to Miramar Regional Park in 2019. They say attendance now exceeds 15,000.
It has become one of the largest showcases of Caribbean food and culture in the south-eastern United States and a gathering place for South Florida's Caribbean diaspora.
"Great food, great music and great company are at the heart of the Jamaican Sunday dinner tradition," said co-founder Carson "Eddy" Edwards. "We're bringing that spirit to life with an entertainment lineup that celebrates the diversity and energy of Caribbean music."
The line-up
Martin, a Jamaican reggae singer, is known for "Cheaters Prayer", "I'm a Big Deal" and "Paper Loving". Dancehall artist Baby Cham will perform hits including "Ghetto Story" and "Vitamin S".
Iwer George, a veteran soca artist from Trinidad and Tobago, is known for "Come to Meh", "Ah Home" and "Stage Gone Bad", his Road March-winning collaboration with Kes.
Sailor Jane, a Florida-based reggae vocalist, performs original music such as "Walk Good" alongside reggae and ska versions of Sade songs.
Beyond the music, visitors can sample jerk and other Caribbean dishes, watch culinary competitions and demonstrations, and join family activities. An interactive Culture Corner will be hosted by Jody Ann Gray and Raul Blaze.
