Twin Cities Carifest to ring in 30 years of celebrating Caribbean culture

The vibrant sounds, flavors, fashion, arts, dance, and heritage of the Caribbean will be on full display in Minneapolis this month.

The 30th annual Twin Cities Carifest, held on West River Road between Plymouth and Broadway, kicks off with music on the evening of Friday, July 21, followed by a full day of action on Saturday, July 22.

“This is a family-oriented event,” said James Byron, Carifest executive director. “Carifest started in 1994 as a grass-roots event and it’s grown into the largest Caribbean Festival in the Midwest. Visitors who come will be able to travel to the islands without buying a plane ticket.”

A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Byron came to stay with a friend in the Twin Cities in 1989 when his home was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo. He wound up making his home in Minnesota, as have many other transplants from the region, who came north for work, education, or new opportunities.

“We have a lot of people in Minnesota from all around the Caribbean; Carifest has become a place where people can meet their countrymen and countrywomen they haven’t seen for a while,” Byron said.

Carifest will be held in the midst of the city’s cultural districts, part of an initiative designed to encourage visitors and residents alike to come to some of the city’s most unique and intriguing neighborhood corridors.

This year’s Carifest will feature local bands performing a mix of sounds and musical genres from the Islands, with live reggae, zouk, Soca, calypso, chutney, and steel band on the festival stage, complete with plenty of space for dancing.

A parade featuring eye-popping traditional carnival costumes and headpieces will delight the crowd starting on Saturday, June 22 at 4 pm.

Byron said some visitors come every year just for the exciting food offerings. “People are familiar with the jerk seasoning from Jamaica and the curry dishes from Trinidad and Tobago, but we will also have specialties and an array of dishes from St. Kitt’s, Jamaica, Barbados,” Byron said. “Some of the chefs who will be here don’t have brick-and-mortar spots, [the only way to] find what they’re cooking is at the festival.”

Carifest kicks off on Friday, July 21, with music at 9 pm. Festivities continue Saturday, July 22, from 11 am – 10 pm. Early bird general admission tickets for Saturday’s Carifest are available now for $15. Day of tickets are available for $20 and after 5 pm, the price is $25. The location is West River Road between Plymouth and Broadway in Minneapolis. Parking is available at the lot on 2117 West River Road. For more info, and for tickets, visit www.carifest.org.