The producers of the highly successful and popular Grace Jamaican Jerk Festivals in Florida and New York have announced plans to stage the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival – DC to be presented in association with VP Records. The event is set to take place on Sunday, June 19, Downtown, Washington on Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. between 12th and 14th streets, from noon to 9:00 p.m.  Thousands are expected to flock to the festival for a taste of jerk cuisine, cultural offerings and a variety of activities making for an enjoyable fun-filled family day.

June is celebrated as Caribbean-American Heritage Month and the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival DC will highlight the food, music and culture of the Caribbean for all to enjoy as part of the month-long celebrations.

Food vendors at the festival will offer a variety of Jerk dishes such as chicken, pork, fish, lobster as well as the unusual jerk ice cream and jerk popcorn. Celebrity chefs will demonstrate tasty dishes and compete in a jerk cook-off for bragging rights and the coveted Dutch Pot Trophy.

Entertainment will feature veteran reggae star Freddie McGregor, young hit maker Christopher Martin, female sensation Ikaya, Barbados’ soca star Edwin Yearwood, the talented No-Maddz band and DC’s popular Image Band along with DJ G-Nice.

A Cultural Stage will showcase a number of artistic and literary performances celebrating folk traditions and will feature the group Sounds of Culture, Pan Lara Youth Steel Orchestra, Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers, Author and playwright Judith Falloon-Reid, Richards Carnival with masqueraders in 2016 DC Carnival costumes plus the antics of popular comedian Michael Campbell.

An interactive Kidz Zone will offer interactive activities to keep the young ones amused and engaged. A special children’s menu will be available offering jerk burgers, hot dogs as well as treats such as ice cream, cotton candy and other goodies.

Advance tickets are $20 and will soon be available online at www.DCJerkFestival.com and selected Caribbean retail outlets. Kids 12 and under will be admitted free. Day of event tickets will be $30. Gates open at 12:00 PM and the fun and gastronomic experiences continue until 9:00 PM. So come early and bring the entire family for a “Taste of Fun!” and an awesome Caribbean experience!