A previous Caribbean food and music festival in Salmon Arm in 2019.
Image credit: FACEBOOK/Kamloops Caribbean Cultural Society
August 14, 2022 – 2:16 p.m
After years of postponement due to COVID-19, a Kamloops festival will showcase Caribbean culture and cuisine.
The Kamloops Caribbean Festival returns on August 22nd at Riverside Park from 10am to 8:30pm and is open to all.
The first-ever Caribbean Festival was last held in 2019 before COVID-19, but has since been canceled due to pandemic restrictions, said Kamloops Caribbean Cultural Society founder and director Jeremy Rodney.
READ MORE: The tastes and sounds of the Caribbean come to Kamloops with the new festival
“We’ve been waiting with bated breath, hoping we’ll get the chance to hold it again. It means a lot now because we can showcase our food and our music,” he said.
This year, they had a slow start with planning due to the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, but are now moving full speed ahead.
In the morning, the opening music will begin followed by a flag ceremony featuring all the countries of the Caribbean, with activities and bands playing throughout the afternoon.
Rodney moved from Jamaica in 2013 and he estimates that more than 400 people from the Caribbean live in Kamloops. Kamloops census records show 235 people of Caribbean descent living in the city.
“People come here every day,” laughed Rodney, adding that he can’t keep track of everyone, but Kamloops is attractive to those from the region because of the mild summer weather.
“For me personally, my friend invited me, he said ‘summer is beautiful, but winter is harsh’. It’s peaceful and safe, Rodney added.
For those who may not be familiar with Caribbean cuisine, he recommends trying the chicken and pork, or for vegans they’re creating a vegan ackee and saltfish dish, a Jamaican breakfast feast, with chunks of vegetables instead of fish. salty.
Rum cake, a delicious dessert made with fruit and spices, will also be available, he said.
Follow the society’s Facebook page to stay updated on festival events.
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