NEW YORK – As New Yorkers gear up for this year’s summer activities, the city’s 4th annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival, scheduled for Roy Wilkins Park in Queens on Sun. July 20, rides high on the list of must attend events.
Centered around the world-famous Jamaican jerk cuisine, the festival combines culinary competitions, cultural and musical performances as well as family-oriented activities into one phenomenal day.
Building on the success of last year’s festival, which attracted some 16,000 satisfied patrons, co-producers Jamaican Jerk Festival U.S.A. Inc. & VP Records are committed to providing more food, fun and family activities at the event.
New York’s largest Caribbean food festival will be jam-packed with entertainment for everyone.
This year’s highlights will include the Celebrity Jerk Cook-off, where last year’s winner New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio is expected to defend his title.
There will also be a Caribbean Cultural Stage featuring traditional oral and folk performances, The Kidz Zone (a family favorite for kids of all ages) including rides, storytellers and face painting and The Corporate Row offering samples and give-aways from event sponsors. To close the day, there will be main stage concert performances from Maxi Priest, Etana and more guests to be announced.
Maxi Priest is looking forward to a busy summer with the release of his new studio album Easy To Love on VP Records, which will be available June 17th. With over 15 million albums sold worldwide, a No. 1 U.S. Billboard hit and a Grammy nomination – the most successful solo act in British reggae history will bring his special brand of reggae, lover’s rock and pop to tug on the ladies’ heartstrings at the festival.
Maxi will perform from his catalog of irresistible hits such as “Wild World,” “Some Guys Have All The Luck,” “Close To You,” and “Housecall” as well as songs from his upcoming album including the title track “Easy To Love.”
With her indomitable spirit and inspiring songwriting, Jamaican reggae songstress Etana will command plenty of attention at this year’s Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival New York. She will uplift generations both old and new with her collection of roots and R&B tinged hits. Recorded at Kingston’s legendary Tuff Gong Studios and backed by all live instrumentation, her latest album Better Tomorrow (VP Records) is a true testament to her evolved sound.
Advance tickets are $30 and will be available online at www.jerkfestivalny.com and selected retail outlets in the next few weeks. Kids 12 and under are admitted free. Gates will open at 12:00pm and the fun will go on until 8:00pm.
The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival New York is produced in association with Jamaican Jerk Festival U.S.A. Inc. and VP Records and sponsored by Western Union, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Vitamalt and Tower Isle Frozen Foods. Media sponsors are Irie Jam Media, Street Hype and WBLS.
