All roads lead to Bessemer at the 2023 Caribbean Food and Music Festival.The Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization’s annual celebration of Caribbean culture kicked off this morning with a parade from the Bessemer Historical Hall of Fame to Devaldereben Park. The food, music and revelry continues until 9pm.
Backed by a $5,300 grant from the Alabama State Arts Council, CACAO and the City of Bessemer have worked together over the past few months to plan this year’s festival, which resumed in earnest last year after a hiatus in 2020 and 2021. bottom. For the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
“This year will be even more powerful than last year,” says CACAO President Gina Seeley. “The excitement is even higher,” she said.
Now in its 10th year, the CACAO team expects this year’s festival to be its largest yet, with guests from the Bahamas, Bermuda and Jamaica as well as from around the Southeast.
This year’s celebration was attended by many dignitaries, including Jamaican Consul General Oliver Mare and Bahamas Consul General Anthony Moss, Bessemer Mayor Kenneth Gurry, Bessemer City Council Speaker Ron Marshall and Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson. bottom.
Are you planning to go to a festival today? Here’s what you should know:
position:
The 2023 Caribbean Food and Music Festival will be held at DeBardeleben Park, 1623 2nd Ave N, Bessemer, AL 35020.
parking:
Parking near Devalderebenpark is free, but please note that all streets around the park are closed to traffic.
Food, entertainment and music:
Saturday’s free family-friendly event features live performances from Atlanta’s Revolution Band, Pansonic Steel Band, Bahamas’ Junkanoo Band and more, as well as children’s entertainment by magicians, balloon artists and face painters hosted by the City of Bessemer Recreation Center. special area will be held. .
The festival features a variety of international food vendors, merchandise vendors and dance performances. Musician Jeremy Torres, who has worked with Wyclef Jean, makes his debut at the festival. Comedian and actor Urat Sam will also return to the festival stage with radio host Wayne Hall from Atlanta. Carnival Barbie, who led the masquerade portion of the parade, joins guests and revelers throughout the day to showcase the Caribbean’s festive traditions.
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