Jamaica Tourist Board celebrates sights, sounds and tastes during Caribbean Heritage Month in June
NEW YORK – In observance of Caribbean Heritage Month, Jamaica will stage a series of events in June featuring the sights, sounds and tastes of the island nation in New York City. The month long celebration kicks off with Caribbean Week, June 8-12, where Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett and Director of Tourism John Lynch will lead the island’s tourism officials expected to participate in the activities scheduled for Washington, D.C. and New York.
Caribbean Fair, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursday, June 11 – Jamaica will be one of the featured Caribbean destinations during this vibrant celebration. Patrons will enjoy a wealth of destination exhibits, Caribbean performers, artisans and celebrity chef demonstrations with tastings at this free event, in addition to a wedding which is also open to the public. Jamaica will encourage persons to visit the destination at its booth and will present the lucky bride and groom with a wedding gift commemorating their special day.
Reggae Sumfest New York Launch, Thursday, June 11 – Festival organizers, sponsors, media and industry members celebrate and announce the stellar line up for the annual Reggae Sumfest during the New York launch event. Reggae Sumfest takes place July 19-25 and as usual kicks off with a beach party on July 19, and culminates with three nights of electrifying live performances, starting on July 23. For more info on the festival, please visit www.reggaesumfest.com.
Allied Luncheon and Awards Presentation, Friday, June 12 – The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in association with the Caribbean Tourism Organization will present two distinguished, tourist industry individuals, with awards of excellence in their efforts to market the Caribbean as a premier travel destination. The presentations will be made during the Caribbean Tourism Organization /Caribbean Hotel Association Allied Luncheon and Awards Presentation held at The New Yorker Hotel. The “Marcia Vickery-Wallace” and “Marcella Martinez” awards honor significant achievements in sharing the Caribbean experience with the world.
Music lovers will also want to tune into CW11’s Morning Show on Friday, June 12 as Queen Ifrica performs on-location in Long Beach, NY.
Caribbean Festival at Jazz at Lincoln Center – Saturday, June 20 – Jazz at Lincoln Center, one the world’s greatest music venues, will host a pre-concert Caribbean Festival in the Atrium on Saturday, June 20 at 5 p.m. Concert attendees will get a taste of the Caribbean and an opportunity to sample some Jamaican delights. The Jamaica Tourist Board will also be on hand with select hotel partners to promote travel to Jamaica as well as hand out promotional items. Following the festival, The 21st Century Band with Dion Parsons and Ron Blake is set to dazzle patrons.
For tickets and more information about the performance, please visit www.jalc.org
Taste of Chicago – Sunday, June 28 – The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is a sponsor of the 17th annual Race to the Taste event on Sunday, June 28 as part of the Taste of Chicago. The 5K Run/2-Mile Walk will be taking a new route this year through Chicago’s beautiful Grant Park and lakefront. This allows for an easy transition for participants to take part in the fun activities and great food at the Taste of Chicago. Live reggae music by local Chicago Reggae musician Kofi will greet the runners as they cross the finish line.
During the event, the Jamaica Tourist Board will encourage travel to Jamaica and give away Jamaican-branded goodies. Sunset Beach Resort & Spa will also be on-site and will reward the female and male race winners with a trip to the resort. The recently-renovated all-inclusive 430- room ocean-front resort is family-friendly, playful and features the incredible Pirate’s Paradise Water Park, new seaside entertainment center, dining variety, great beaches and spa.
