‘Celebrate and support’: Broward’s Jerk Fest lends a hand to Jamaica

Organizers of South Florida’s premier Jamaican jerk food and music festival are asking attendees to “bring a can if you can” to support Hurricane Melissa survivors.

The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival returns to Miramar Regional Park this Sunday with Jamaican food vendors, cook-offs, cooking demonstrations, cultural performances and an opportunity to donate nonperishable food to be distributed in Jamaica. The 23rd annual festival comes just weeks after Melissa, a historic Category 5 storm, battered Jamaica, causing severe destruction and killing at least 67 people.

Culturally, Melissa hit South Florida hard, too. Broward and Miami-Dade counties are home to much of Florida’s proud Jamaican population, which is second in size to New York. Local nonprofits, organizations and municipalities have been collecting essential items (nonperishable food, generators, hygiene products, tarps) to donate to those in need.

Carson “Eddy” Edwards, the festival CEO and Miramar city commissioner, said it’s been heartbreaking to see places in Jamaica he knows well reduced to rubble.

“Sometimes you feel helpless, but at the same time, you’re figuring out what exactly is their need and how you can support the relief efforts,” Edwards said. “We were able to create this outlet at the festival so that folks can make a contribution while still celebrating Jamaica, Jamaican culture and Jamaican cuisine.”

There’s certainly a lot to celebrate. The Wailers, the legendary band that backed Bob Marley, will perform their classics. Musical performances include dancehall icon Mr. Vegas, “Love Doctor” singer Romain Virgo, and the “Queen of Bacchanal” Destra Garcia. The festival will also explore the spiritual roots and traditions of reggae music with a cultural presentation about Revival and Pocomania, Jamaican religious movements.

The festival heats up at the Publix Culinary Pavilion for the Celebrity Quickfire Challenge, where Miami rapper and restaurateur Trick Daddy and radio host Papa Keith will compete in a timed cook-off with mystery ingredients. Last year’s Influencer Quickfire Challenge champion Monica Gonzalez returns to take on Diedra “JaSkyPrincess” Allen, a Jamaican stewardess and content creator. The professionals will also face-off at the Chef’s Throwdown between Chef Rose and Chef Clay.

Edwards said he’s excited to see South Florida’s Jamaican community come together.

“It’s a tough time for Jamaica, but we still need to keep our spirits high,” he said. “Come on out, celebrate and support.”

If you go:

What: Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival

When: 1-11 p.m. Nov. 9

Where: Miramar Regional Park, 16801 Miramar Pkwy., Miramar

Tickets: $49.92 for general admission, $188.38 for VIP (fees included) at jerkfestival.com.

This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 4:30 AM.