Sunday, July 31
saw the 10th annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens. The events culinary experiences, cultural presentation, kids zone and festival main stage held the attraction of all in attendance.
The cultural segment got the day started with performances by Asase Yaa Cultural Group, Nigy Boy, fashions by Mamayashi as ‘cultural ambassador’ Sharon Gordon schooled the audience with cultural facts.
The 10th annual Grace Jamaica Jerk Festival New York, delivered a feast of food, music and culture
Highlights from the day included a visit and greeting from New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Queens Councilman from the southern district Leroy Comrey. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, State Leroy Comrie Queens Borough President, Donovan Richards, Congressman Lee Zeldin and Chef Ron Duprat.
The crowd of 15,00 enjoyed a day filled with fun, great food, and entertainment for the whole family.
“We’re very pleased with the results from the event,” said Eddy Edwards, marketing director for the festival, “the turn-out was strong, the people seemed to really enjoy themselves, and the production came off without incident.”
The festival which is produced locally by VP Records and Jerk Festival USA has earned the distinction of being the “Biggest Caribbean Food Festival in the USA” and is the largest Caribbean themed event in Queens.
In the Grace Culinary Pavilion, TV producer Mona Scott-Young prevailed in the “Celebrity Quick-Fire Challenge” over radio personality Angela Yee in a battle which had a lot of trash-talking. The Culinary Pavilion also featured demonstrations by celebrity chefs Darian Bryant and Troy Levy. Returning alums included celebrity chefs Andre Fowles, Maxell Hardy, Ron Duprat, Eddie G along with Host Chef Irie, and special guest, Chef Natacha Gomez.
There was so much to do for kids. Activities included arts and craft, face painting, family friendly games, soccer, cricket, tug-of-war, and they also had amazing adventures with black panther who made a heroic appearance.
Debut stage performances by dancehall hitmaker Laa Lee, Protoje and Lila Ike’ added to the overall vibe of excitement at the show, which also starred Nadine Sutherland doing a 90s dancehall segment that included a special appearance by Spragga Benz, and a dual performance from festival favorites Romain Virgo and Christopher Martin, dubbed “Singers in action.”
