Philadelphia Caribbean Festival Turns 30

Attendees at a past Philly Caribbean Festival.

By NAN Staff Writer

News Americas, Philadelphia, PA, Mon. Aug. 1, 2016: The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia will be transformed into many islands showcasing the authentic sounds of reggae, roots international beat, soca, hip-hop, and cool jazz on Sunday, August 21, 2016 from Noon until 8 p.m. as the 30th anniversary of the Philadelphia Caribbean Festival  comes to the city of Brotherly Love.

This  free festival of Caribbean culture, music, and food is one of the many festivals in the PECO Multicultural Series and part of the 2016 summer event season at Penn’s Landing that is also made possible by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) and its presenting sponsors and the Caribbean Festival & Cultural Committee.

At press time, the festival’s inclusive entertainment line-up will feature Philly’s own, Jah People, and internationally known Image Band from Washington, D.C.  Faith & Favor Gospel Band will uplift you with some soul-searching Gospel; CBC Mime Ministry, a group of young children’s act will also perform and of course this line-up would not be complete without some positive reggae vibration by Ras Professor himself.

Performance poet plus spoken word specialist Poetica will stir your soul with poetic spoken words from within while Philly’s own Dance 4Nia Repertory Ensemble will entertain alongside Haitian soul, GK, presenting zook, compa music.  MC will be DJ Scripture (WKDU 91.7 FM) who opens up with Devotional Remarks and saxaphonist Kenny Sykes to follow with the National Anthem.

The festival will also feature the ever-popular steel drum band, Philly PanStars, along with a Caribbean Culture booth – Tings Caribbean – where one can feel, touch and sample “Tings” from the islands and A Caribbean Children’s Village – “Pickney Kannah” with story telling, face painting, bead-making  etc.

The event raises scholarship funds for college students of Caribbean descent.  This year’s Scholarship recipients are:  Ashley T. Borneo, Zebadiah Y. Coombs, Stephanie Clara McKee, Brittany A. Spencer, Shauna M. Walters Ayanna S. Wright, Gianni Lawrence and Tressa E. Archer

For more information on the Caribbean Festival & Cultural Committee, visit www.phillycaribbeanfestival.com; and follow us on Facebook at PhillyCaribFest.