The organizers of the Atlantic JerkFlava Festival say their upcoming event will celebrate Caribbean culture and allow attendees to experience it directly.
The festival is expanding beyond food and music to feature Jamaica House, an interactive pavilion designed to showcase the culture, customs, and traditions of the island.
Representatives from the Jamaica Tourist Board will also be in attendance, connecting festival-goers directly with officials from Jamaica.
“It’s a chance to learn about who we are and where we come from,” Sheryl McGaw-Douse, communications director for the Jamaican Canadian Association of New Brunswick, said.
“With our Tourist Board reps on-site, people will get a deeper look at Jamaican life and what makes it so special.”
It will be running Friday through Sunday at Moncton’s Riverfront Park. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.
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The event’s culinary focus will be one of the main attractions.
Traditional jerk cooking techniques will be showcased, featuring dishes seasoned with pimento—a signature Jamaican spice commonly referred to as allspice.
Vendors will serve jerk chicken, pork, oxtail and fish, alongside other favourites such as rice and peas, goat porridge, tamarind balls and dukkunu, a leaf-wrapped cornmeal dessert.
“We want people to feel like they’re relaxing in the Caribbean,” McGaw-Douse said.
“Toes in the sand, blue skies overhead, and that warm feeling you get when the food and the culture connect.”
Festival organizers say interest has grown across Atlantic Canada, and the addition of Jamaica House marks a new chapter in how Caribbean heritage is shared locally.
Attendees can explore cultural booths, meet with Jamaican officials, and take part in hands-on experiences designed to educate and inspire.
The full event schedule and vendor details are available through the Jamaican Canadian Association of New Brunswick.
