(From left to right: Eddy Edwards, CEO of Jamaican Jerk Festival LLC, Peetah Morgan of Morgan Heritage, Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage, Nova Walker, Manager of Yardie’s Restaurant, TV Host & Celebrity Chef Wenford Patrick Simpson, Patricia Chin, Founder of VP Records, Richard Lue, Director of Business Development, VP Records)
On Saturday June 3rd, 2017, The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival held their Taste of Jerk Kick-Off event at the VP Records retail Store in Jamaica Queens. The annual occasion serves as a way to notify the press of the various performers, food vendors and entertainment they can expect at the festival taking place Sunday July 23rd at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens from 12-8pm. The press conference and food competition was held from 12-2pm, while the public participated in the festivities which included a live remote by Irie Jam Radio, from 2-5pm.
2017 Festival Participating vendors Yardie’s, Food R Us, Natwerks, Freckles Juice Bar and Miller Health & Nutrition sampled their specialties to an eager group of media and festival supporters. The vendors then took part in a food competition which was judged by TV Host & Celebrity Chef Wenford Patrick Simpson, of B.B. King. The winning restaurant, Yardie’s took home the festival’s famous Dutch Pot Trophy.
Coming off the heels of a 2017 Grammy(R), Morgan Heritage, who will be performing at this year’s festival signed copies of their latest album Avrakedabra and took photos with attendees. Also performing at the 2017 Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival New York are current dancehall sensation Konshens, Reggae legend Barrington Levy, Soca star Alison Hinds as well as Blakka Ellis and The Braata Folk Singers.
Patricia Chin, founder of VP Records, graciously told the crowd “VP Records is excited to be part of the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival for the past 7 years. This event has been all about community building.”
“The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival presents the best in food, fun and music,” said Eddy Edwards, CEO of Jamaican Jerk Festival, USA, Inc. “When these three elements come together, you get the biggest Jerk Festival in New York and we are proud to deliver an awesome festival experience for our guests again this year.”
Tickets are valued at $35.00 in advance and $45.00 at the event. Online tickets are available for purchase at : https://jerkfestivalny.com/tickets/.
About the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival
The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival NY has the unique distinction of being “New York’s Biggest Caribbean Food Festival” delivering an enjoyable experience of the highest quality to festival goers. Held annually at Roy Wilkins Park, Queens, New York, the third Sunday in July, the Festival appeals to all ethnicities and key demographics, particularly the vibrant Caribbean communities in the Metro New York. This year’s Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival is taking place on July 23rd, 2017. The Festival has been featured in NY 1, NY Daily News, Pix11 & Paste Magazine. Past Festival headliners have included sought after Dancehall, Soca and Reggae Artists: Christopher Martin, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Reggae Ambassadors, Third World, Dexta Daps, Tifa, Gyptian, Bunji Garlin, and Fay Ann Lyons.
Visit https://jerkfestivalny.com for more information. Stay up to date via social media, find the Grace Jamaican Festival on Facebook and Instagram.