Barbara Ellington, Senior Gleaner Writer
WHEN YOU combine jerk meat chefs from Boston, Portland with the Fabulous Five, Blue Glaze Mento Band, Burning Flames, Vibes Master Jerry D and 5,000 Jamaicans in a park, the result is one heck of a party.
That's what happened on Sunday September 19 at C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines Fort Lauderdale, when Ridims Marketing and Jamaica Awareness, in association with Caribfest and Air Jamaica, presented the third annual Jamaican Jerk Festival in South Florida.
From as early as 10:00 a.m., the unique flavour of jerked meats wafted in the air. Pulsating reggae and soca rhythms rocked the park and booth holders put the finishing touches on their displays.
BRAND APPEAL
The event which now has a distinct brand appeal, ran from noon till 9:00 p.m. and patrons came from as far as New Orleans to sample the fascinating and indigenous flavours of Jamaican jerk dishes. It also attracted a number of Caucasians and African Americans.
NOT DISAPPOINTED
They were not disappointed; you name it, someone jerked it. Think: corn on the cob, pork, lobster, shrimp, scallops, lamb, chicken, kebobs, fish, vegetables and even ice cream, and someone would be able to serve it to you jerked. There were some 20 booths offering a varied menu of jerk entrées but the action was non-stop at the Boston Jerk stand where Shirlon Weir, Algernon Walker and Teron Walker, who were flown in from Portland to add the authentic touch, had mouths watering for the real thing.
The festival, which is a family event, has been described as a resounding success by Sydney Roberts, founder/president/executive director of Jamaica Awareness.
"I am very happy with this year's jerk festival. It has matured and developed into a branded product which is ripe for the picking," Mr. Roberts told The Sunday Gleaner.
He said further, "You know you have community acceptance when people come out in inclement weather to support an event. This speaks volumes for an idea that was born over 10 years ago when, through the Miami Reggae Festival we tried to make it into the Guinness Book of world records with the longest chain dance-off to Marcia Griffiths' Electric Slide."
'JERK COOK-OFF' CONTEST
"Eddy Edwards of Ridims Marketing suggested doing a "jerk-off" contest but it was felt that the name would offend some so it evolved into a jerk cook-off competition that, as soon as the first jerk festival was held in Boston, Portland, we began to introduce it to South Florida.
Like the Portland precursor, there were many activities to keep patrons busy in the park last Sunday.
"Being of African origins we went for the village concept hence the cultural, children's and craft villages, all packed with activities to keep people entertained" Mr. Roberts said.
Emcee Jerry D the vibes master, kept the crowd hyped in his inimitable style, while they rocked to the sounds of : Blue Glaze Mento Band, Fab Five, Burning Flames, the Mighty Vikings and Hardcore Movements. Not even a 30-minute downpour could put a damper on the mood. Other participants included representatives of regional tourist boards, Grace Kennedy and Company Limited, the national airline's flying chef Louis Bailey, who gave a demonstration on how to prepare jerk mushrooms, Kelly Magnus who read from her new book, and the contestants who vied for the coveted Dutch Pot trophy.
DOMINO TOURNAMENT
Adults participated in the domino tournament and the winner will compete for the big prize at the upcoming Air Jamaica Domino tournament set for the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association's (JHTA), Reunion in the City week of activities in Kingston next month. Representatives of some Corporate Area past students' associations solicited new memberships and even the Republicans were on hand to introduce their candidate and register voters.
For next year, the organisers are hoping to continue the trend of presenting an integrated regional event in the international arena. They also hope to better utilise the park facilities.
TITLE SPONSORS
"We hope we will attract at least two major title sponsors so that admission can be kept low, giving more people a chance to come. We also want to expand the arts and crafts section to showcase more items from the region and we would love to see a bigger cook-off section with participation from restaurants that specialise in jerk," Mr. Roberts said.
And, this year the organisers used the opportunity to spread some goodwill to persons in the Caribbean who had suffered hurricane damage.
"We consider ourselves part of the region and through three South Florida radio stations, we launched an appeal for relief supplies and we will distribute what was collected through Food for the Poor," Mr Roberts said.
