Sister Nancy and Minister Marion Hall to headline 10th New Jersey Jamaica Day festival

PATERSON, New Jersey, United States. Dancehall DJ Sister Nancy and Minister Marion Hall will headline this year's New Jersey Jamaica Day festival, producer Matthew McKoy announced on Tuesday, July 7.

McKoy told Caribbean Life that Grammy-nominated reggae artist Lila Iké, DJ Lady G and gospel artists Rhoda Isabella and Golda McFarlane will also perform at the 10th anniversary celebration on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, at Eastside Park in Paterson.

"As we celebrate this milestone alongside Jamaica's 64th year of Independence, we are proud to continue creating a space where families, artists, businesses, and community leaders come together to honour our heritage," McKoy said.

"Ten years ago, this festival started as a way to give our community a place to come together and celebrate who we are," he added.

A lineup across generations

WB Radio executive David "Fat Forward" Warren said the lineup represented "the best of reggae, dancehall and gospel music".

"Sister Nancy is an icon in dancehall circles," he said. "Her hit song 'Bam Bam' is the most sampled reggae/dancehall song of all time."

Warren said Lila Iké represented "where our music is headed next", adding that with Lady G, Rhoda Isabella and Golda McFarlane, "you have every generation and every part of our culture represented on one stage".

Free and family-friendly

Jamaica Day is presented by the Bill McKoy Foundation, founded by McKoy's father, Bill McKoy, who called this year's edition "a celebration of 10 years of community, culture and connection".

The free event features live entertainment, Jamaican food, arts and faith programming, local vendors, youth activities and carnival rides.

"We've kept this festival free and family-friendly for 10 years because that was always the point, nobody should be priced out of celebrating their own culture," McKoy said. "This 10th anniversary is our biggest step yet."