June is Caribbean Heritage Month, and the Museum is excited to partner with the 5th Annual Caribbean Festival in Linn Park on Saturday, June 11. Join us to celebrate the rich cultures of the Caribbean region hosted by the Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization.
CACAO President and founder Pauline Ford-Caesar, a Jamaica native, told us a few of her favorite Caribbean traditions that you’re sure to experience on Saturday.
- Ornate Masks, Costumes, and Flags are an integral part of Caribbean celebrations.
A parade around Linn Park will feature beautiful masks, colorful costumes, and traditional flags representing Caribbean culture. Popular costumed bands from the Atlanta Memorial Day Carnival will display their vibrant attire at the festival, too!“The costumes are worn for a variety of events, including carnival, and are colorful and festive,” Ford-Caesar said. “By nature they are historical and were initially used to celebrate events like the end of the crop season and other holidays.”Join us in front of the Museum from 10:30-3:00 p.m. to make your own flag.
- Food is an important and delicious component of Caribbean heritage, and is uniquely influenced by a diverse mix of countries, including Africa, Spain, and France, to name a few.
Ford-Caesar’s favorite Caribbean dish is the spicy and flavorful jerk chicken.“Jerk chicken is by far the most popular Caribbean dish, and the three-time winner of the Atlanta Jerk Festival will be one of the vendors, but there will be much more to choose from, including many dishes reflecting the region’s strong Indian influence,” she said. - Caribbean Music was largely created by the descendants of African slaves and has gained popularity all over the world.
No Caribbean celebration would be complete without music! In addition to a DJ, there will be a traditional steel band and a Reggae band to keep you on your feet all day.“The band will end the day with a rendition of Bob Marley’s international hit “One Love” which everyone is invited to participate in,” Ford-Caesar said.
- Dance culture traditional to the Caribbean islands is still influencing popular culture today.
Don’t forget your dancing shoes! There will be several interactive dance performances including line dancing and Caribbean-themed Zumba in the park.“There are two distinct types of music: Reggae from Jamaica, which is popular among party goers, and Soca from the Eastern Caribbean, which is popular among carnival attendees and street marchers,” Ford-Caesar said. “The dance performances are high energy and will be a joyous celebration of the culture.”Click here to learn more about the Museum’s Caribbean Festival activities, and join us on Saturday, June 11 from 10AM-3PM.