Overview
On Saturday, August 1, 2009 the fourth annual Taste of the Caribbean and Jerk Festival will take place at the Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in Downtown Hartford.
Background/Attendance
In 2006, as part of the City of Hartford’s revitalization efforts, the West Indian Celebration Committee and CAYASCO partnered with the Riverfront Recapture organization to present the first annual Taste of the Caribbean and Jerk Festival. During the inaugural year of the event, an estimated 7,000 people of various economic backgrounds, nationalities and races visited the Riverfront Plaza to sample our world famous dishes as well as experience the Caribbean through the sights and sounds presented by our live bands and display of costumes on the Riverfront. At our 2008 event the crowds swelled to an estimated 15,000 patrons. We are anticipating a crowd of 20,000 at our 2009 event.
Community Benefit
Allows local vendors, restaurant owner operators to promote their business establishments to an influential audience who are interested in Caribbean food and culture, thereby stimulating economic development for local vendors.
By pulling people together, the event promotes the cultural diversity and revitalization of the Hartford Business District.
The event fosters the idea of community pride, and the image of an economically vibrant city. This event provides recreation/socialization, culture/education and general tourism development for the city of Hartford.
