LAUDERDALE LAKES – On Sunday June 1st, the City of Lauderdale Lakes will come alive with the celebration of the 14th annual Unifest multicultural festival. This event which will be held at the Vincent Torres Park, in Lauderdale Lakes, is believed to be one of the largest multicultural events of its kind in Broward County showcasing the cultural mix of the tri-counties and attracting attendees from as far as Orlando and New York.
The event which originally started as a two day Caribbean festival was merged into one day and over the years gained huge popularity among the other cultures, that it was fused into a multicultural event. This year’s theme truly echoes the sentiments of this multicultural event, “Unifest, an array of cultural mix& creativity”. Unifest will also kick-off the month long celebration of “National Caribbean American Heritage Month”.
The event organizers hope to bring even more cultural awareness to the community and be in the position to offer more scholarships to students attending the local high schools and to expand its summer internship program. “We endeavor to continue working to unite and bring even more awareness to the cultural make up of our community and to focus on assisting as many of our local high school seniors through our scholarship and internship programs,” said Andrew Azebeokhai, President of the Greater Caribbean American Cultural Coalition.
The entertainment line up for UNIFEST 2008 is scheduled to include artists such as: Leroy Sibbles (Lovers Reggae Icon-Jamaica); Nigel Lewis (Soca –Trinidad); Fab 5 (Soca/Calypso band –Jamaica); Hunter (Soca/Calypso -Dominica); Glen Washington (Reggae-Jamaica); Ray Goodman & Brown (R&B-US); Leon Caldero (Soca–Trinidad); Juilette Mills (Soca-St. Kitts and 14 year old
“World Champion Violinist “, Nadje (Jamaica).
The event will also include the battle of the marching bands, cultural corner; stilt walkers; cultural dancer’s; business expo; job fair; health fair; domino tournament; netball rally; parade of countries; arts & crafts and tasty cuisine from the countries represented.
The event will run from 12 noon to 11 pm and admission is $5.00 per person, after 4 pm $10.00, children 12 years and under free. Commissioner Hazelle Rogers, who is the cities liaison has nurtured this event from inception and invites everyone to come and experience the cultural diversity of Lauderdale Lakes. For more information about UNIFEST 2008 contact Andrew Azebeokhai at (954) 401-2932 or visit the website www.gcaccoalition.com
Unifest is presented by the Greater Caribbean American Cultural Coalition in association with the City of Lauderdale Lakes and the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce.
Sponsors for the 14 annual Unifest include; Bank of America; Comcast; Waste Management; WAVS 1170 AM; Air Jamaica, JN Money Transfer; WDJA 1420 AM; Lauderdale Market Place; WHQT Hot 105 FM; Care Plus Health Plans and Winn Dixie.
