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Fri, 09/14/2007
By CaribLifeCentral.com
Metro Caribbean
Media Group Inc. (MCMG) in association with Webba Promotions,
after successfully putting on the first Atlanta Caribbean Jerk
Festival in 2006, embarked on executing another Jerk Festival.
In 2007 MCMG, led by Glen and Cheriel Simmonds and Lloyd Roberts
in association with Webly Scott of Webba Promotions pulled off
a bigger, better attended (patrons, vendors, competitors and performers),
and more diverse Festival than the one in 2006. The event occurred
at the Panthersville Stadium in Decatur, and it was a larger venue
than the one used the year before which afforded a large area
for children to play in.
This year the Red Cross was a partner of the event and they conducted
a Blood Drive. MCMG also collaborated with United For Jamaica
(http://www.unitedforjamaica.org/) to run a Hurricane relief drive
where money and disaster relief items were collected for the Hurricane
Relief Drive being led by the Union of Jamaican Organizations
in Atlanta (UJOIA). The major sponsor was Kgn21.com/Net Speak,
a company based out of Jamaica, which offers potential customers
a cheaper way to call long distance. Other sponsors included Air
Jamaica, and Moneygram. In addition, a number of community organizations
that deal with projects that help many areas of Caribbean American
life were in attendance.
Some of Atlanta's best bands performed that day, featuring favourites
such as the Swat and Revolution Bands. This year the entertainment
also included dub poets, DJs, and selectors. Jason Walker of WRFG
radio 89.3 FM and Joan Savoury of 1430 AM hosted the entertainment.
The highlight of the event was to witness who would win the Jerk
cook-off. Last year the champion was Everton Welch. Welch boasted
all year that no one was going to take the crown from him. This
year the competition that came to "take away the crown" was very
strong. However, Welch lived up to his boasts. His succulent Jerk
earned him enough credit to pass his rivals and take the top prize
of cash, a large trophy and an opportunity to face off against
the winner of the Florida Jerk Festival later this year. Although
the hot sun was a bit of a challenge, the day and event was perfect
for the whole family, and large numbers of people came out to
volunteer to help the event run as smoothly as possible. Of course,
the food was memorable; Atlanta impatiently waits the 3rd Annual
Caribbean Jerk Festival scheduled for Sunday, August 31, 2008
and speculates if Welch will hold on to the crown.
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