“Islands in the Sun: 13th Annual Unifest Caribbean Celebration

LAUDERDALE LAKES – The City of Lauderdale Lakes, the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (GCACC), and the Greater Caribbean American Cultural Coalition will host the 13th Annual UNIFEST Caribbean Cultural Celebration on Sunday, June 3rd, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Vincent Torres Memorial Park, 4331 NW 36th Street in Lauderdale Lakes.

Themed “Islands in the Sun,” the outdoor festival will be highlighted by a variety of international and local entertainers performing Soca, Calypso, Reggae, Compas and Rhythm & Blues favorites.

The event will also feature cultural dancers, a battle of high school marching bands (including Jamaica’s popular Portmore marching band), a domino tournament, netball rally, parade of carnival costumes, Mocko Jumbie stilt walkers, cultural displays, health fair, business expo and cuisine from the various islands of the Caribbean.

“The Chamber is pleased to bring this event to the City of Lauderdale Lakes, the heart of Broward County,” said Andrew Azebeokhai, chair of this year’s UNIFEST committee. “Over the years Unifest has captured and showcased the wonders of the Caribbean.”

“Unifest will be our official kick-off to the celebration of June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month,” says City of Lauderdale Lakes Commissioner Hazelle Rogers. “Last year we had a huge turnout, and we anticipate an even larger turnout this year because of the fabulous mix of entertainment we have planned.”

The entertainment line-up for Unifest 2007 is scheduled to include: Tony Rebel (Reggae – Jamaica); Bunji Garlin (Soca –Trinidad); Ken Boothe (Vintage Reggae – Jamaica); Slice International (Soca/Calypso band); Everton Blender (Cultural Reggae – Jamaica); Dadou Pasquet (Kompas –Haiti); Omar Reid (Jamaica’s 2006 Festival Song winner) and Dias & the Charms (R&B).

Admission to Unifest is $5 per person before 6 p.m. and $10 after 6 p.m.; children 12 years and under are free.