For almost 20 years, the date of the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival has had a permanent thumbtack on the calendars of South Florida residents. It grew to over 15,000 attendees in recent years with visitors from around the world, and developed popular spinoffs in New York and Washington D.C.
This year, in observance of the health and safety of their fans, The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival will carry on 2020 style. The festivities move online on the inaugural National Jamaican Jerk Day, October 25, celebrating Jamaica’s unique way of seasoning and grilling foods nationally in the USA.
Jerk cuisine has evolved from simple local street food to gourmet status in first-rate restaurants worldwide and celebrated through numerous Jerk Festivals around the globe.
On the third Sunday in October, Jamaican Jerk Festival USA Inc., in collaboration with other Jerk Festival Promoters throughout the USA and Canada, is urging fans to fire up the grill or oven to prepare their favorite Jerk Dish at home, or to support a local restaurant, and celebrate the day. Jerk fans should also share their jerk creations on social media using the hashtags #JamaicanJerkDay #JerkDay2020 #NationalJerkDay2020. Follow Jamaican Jerk Festival on IG @jajerkfestival and comment on posts you like.
To join the virtual celebrations, tune in to the VP Records YouTube channel and watch the Best of Jerk Festivals from around the world featuring top reggae and soca acts, along with cultural presentations. The live stream premieres 7:00 pm on October 25.
Learn more at – www.JamaicanJerkDay.com
Event partners include Publix Supermarkets, Grace Foods, Western Union, Jamaican Tourist Board, Digicel and the City of Miramar and VP Records.
Where to Get Your Jerk
As part of National Jamaican Jerk Day activities, the promoters are encouraging jerk fans to support their local Jamaican restaurants. Here are some of their official restaurant partners in South Florida and the New York area.
South Florida Jerk Festival Partners
Donna’s Caribbean Restaurant – All Locations
Jerk Machine – 954.440.4556
4261 NW 12th Street, Lauderhill
317 SW 6th St, Ft Lauderdale
Montego Bay Grille & Cafe – 954.731.9224
4395 N State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes
Golden Krust – Dade, Broward & Palm Beach Selected Locations
Cliff’s Caribbean Restaurant – 954.613.7244
2901 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood
10740 NW 7th Ave Miami
Kingston Delight – 305.957.7213
1340 Northeast 163rd Street, North Miami Beach
Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen
316 NW 24th St, Miami, FL 33127
New York Jerk Festival Partners
Yah So Nyce – Queens – 646.603.8665
153-41 Rockaway Blvd, Rochdale, NY
204-19 Jamaica Avenue, Queens, NY
Elvis Caribbean Cuisine – 516.208.8395
50B S Main Street, Freeport, LI
