TD JerkFest Celebrates Community with Food, Music, and Generosity
Toronto, ON – The TD International Jerk Food and Music Festival (TD JerkFest) is set to deliver a weekend of vibrant Caribbean culture, delicious food, and lively entertainment at Centennial Park in Etobicoke. From August 9th to August 11th, festival-goers can enjoy an array of activities that blend culinary delights with community spirit.
Organized by Caribbean Promotions Arts and Culture Inc., this year’s festival introduces the JerkFest Cares Grocery Grab, a new initiative aimed at supporting local food security. “JerkFest has always been about more than just food and music; we love to give back to the community,” said Anthony Plummer, Founder and Executive Director. “This year, we’re expanding our customer appreciation efforts with the introduction of the JerkFest Cares Grocery Grab.”
From 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday and Sunday, attendees can contribute to the cause by donating three non-perishable food items to Afri-Can Food Basket and Regeneration Marketplace. As a token of appreciation, adults can enter the festival for a reduced fee of $4.99, and children aged 7-12 for $2.00. Donors will also be entered into a raffle to win one of 22 grocery store gift cards or the grand prize: a timed shopping spree worth up to $1,300.
The festival promises an exciting lineup of performances, kicking off with dancehall sensation Masicka on Friday night. The entertainment continues with Dancehall artist Ding Dong, Reggae Queen Marcia Griffiths, and Soca Star Farmer Nappy taking the stage over the weekend. Additionally, winners of the Show Your Flow contest, including Gyles (R&B), Tesharah (Reggae), Miss Cali (Soca), Tipikcal (Dancehall), and StarStatus (Hip Hop), will showcase their talents.
A highlight of the festival will be the #BlackFoodEnergy Demo Tent, sponsored by DoorDash Canada. Celebrated chefs Leon Rowe, founder of Heaven’s Kitchen, and Nicole King, founder of MsKingsKitchen, will conduct cooking demonstrations at 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. The first 50 attendees at each session will receive free samples, offering a taste of the Caribbean.
The festival will also feature delicious offerings from several Caribbean restaurants, including 9 Mile Jamaican Cuisine, TricNic Jerk Centre, and Spotlight Caribbean Restaurant, with support from DoorDash Canada’s #BlackFoodEnergy program. This initiative aims to celebrate and amplify the talents of Black chefs and Black-owned restaurants.
Supported by the TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment, the TD JerkFest is more than just a celebration of food and music; it’s a testament to the strength and generosity of the community. As festival-goers indulge in jerk delicacies and sway to the rhythms of soca, dancehall, and reggae, they will also have the opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to making a positive impact.
For more information on the TD JerkFest and to purchase tickets, visit the official festival website.
