This year marks the 11th Anniversary of the South Jersey Caribbean Festival. This year, eventorganizers will honor the Calypso King, “The Mighty Sparrow”. Sparrow will not only graceattendees with his presence but will also treat festival goers to a special performance!!!! The South Jersey Caribbean Cultural and Development Organization (SJCCDO) will present the annual FREE festival at Wiggins Park on the Camden, NJ Waterfront on Saturday July 9, 2011 from 12pm to 8pm.
Special activities are planned including, but not limited to, food, dance, culture and live entertainment. Lifetime Achievement awards will be presented to the Calypso King of the World, Slinger Francisco aka the Mighty Sparrow and a long time cultural ambassador for the local Caribbean Community, Hopeton Brown. The festival is a FREE cultural event that brings the color, spirit, and energy of Caribbean culture to life on the Camden New Jersey waterfront.
The South Jersey Caribbean Festival is colorful representation of the cultural heritage of many area residents. The South Jersey Caribbean Festival features Caribbean culture, dance, food and music at its best. It is an enriching and educational multicultural experience recognizing the diversity of the many islands of the Caribbean. Artist scheduled to perform represents many Caribbean islands including Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica, U.S Virgin Islands, Antigua, and Grenada.
The Caribbean islands have a rich culture and diverse history that the festival shares with the community. South Jersey Caribbean Festival exposes the regional community to world cultures and provides a positive safe environment for families. Festival lover, Kimberly Matthews, an attendee from Pine Hill, NJ says the South Jersey Caribbean Festival is one of the most diverse Caribbean events in the tri-state area, showcasing Caribbean talent representing many Caribbean countries each year.
The Mighty Sparrow has a distinguished career in entertainment that spans over six decades. Known for his stage presence and for having a song for every life situation and emotion, The Mighty Sparrow born July 9, 1935 will be celebrating his 76th Birthday. He recently released Soca Anthology: Doctor Bird, the ultimate collection of classics from the over seventy albums to his credit. The Mighty Sparrow holds an Honorary Doctorate degree from the University of the West Indies and has won the Trinidad Caribbean Carnivals Calypso Monarch and Road March titles numerous times. Event coordinators say there will be a big Birthday celebration in honor of the Mighty Sparrows 76th Birthday.
Hopeton Brown, a native of Jamaica has been a staple in the Caribbean community for over 30 years. A graduate of Drexel University, he started Reggae programming on WKDU 91.7 FM. In 1983, as program director he organized the Annual Memorial Day Reggae Marathon. Brown remains relentless in his effort to erase traditional stereotypes on West Indian-Americans. He is currently an advocate for Read Across Jamaica Foundation, an initiative to combat illiteracy in Jamaica. He is being recognized for his dedication and commitment to the promotion of Caribbean culture in the tri-state area.
The SJCCDO, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies solely on donations and sponsors to present this FREE cultural experience to the community. Sponsors include Rutgers University – Camden, Camden County Cultural & Heritage Commission, Camden County Parks Department, FedEx Office, Champ Shipping, SVGOP Inc, PNC Bank and Comcast. Artists set to perform for 2011 include Camdens own world renowned Universal Dance and Drum Ensemble, Philadelphia Pan Stars, SVGOP Youth Group, Muervete Latin Dance Troupe, Steppin Razor, Warieka Hill, and the New Image Band.
For additional information about the 11th Annual South Jersey Caribbean Festival, or to discuss be a volunteer, vendor or sponsor, please contact Kylla Herbert by phone at (267) 257-9625, via email at kylla@sjcaribbean.org or log on to www.sjcaribbean.org
