We are in the middle of Caribbean Heritage Month and this year I decided to attend the Caribbean American Heritage Festival on Saturday, June 14th at City Park on Sunset Strip in Sunrise to celebrate. This event was sponsored by Sunrise Federal Government, took place from 5-9 pm on a beautiful warm and sunny day. I have never visited this park, even though it is located 10 minutes from my house.
My son and I left home at 6:30pm ensuring that the sun was sleepy and, on its way to bed. The drive was easy, now locating parking is a different story. As I looped around, praying for a close spot, I drove through the parking lot adjacent to the park and saw a few Junkanooers walking through. I immediately put my window down and asked if they performed yet. When he said no, I felt at ease but still quickly tried to find a parking spot so I could get myself situated. My son asked me if the only reason I wanted to come to the event was to see the Junkanoo band. I chuckled thinking about the whistles I packed in my bag. I also had my selfie stick because the idea was to capture the activities taking place so that I could write a review for my blog but chile, that was an epic fail.
Two of my CaribFunkers joined me which was great! When we entered the park, the soca music was jammin’ and radio personality and host Papa Keith was on the mic chattin’ to the crowd. The Moko Jumbie’s were walkin’, dancin’ and winin’up, engaging with di people, it was pure hilarity. As one of them made their way over to where we were standing, I decided that this would be my warmup.
When I heard the drum, and then Papa Keith introduces the Junkanoo Band, I transitioned, transposed, and transformed. I grabbed my whistle, gave my son his, and I was off. I was so wrapped up in my dancing and rushin’, I didn’t have time to set up my camera and selfie stick. I waved and swung that stick like I was a flag woman, drum major, or anyone leading a group of people down di road. As I blew my whistle—and yes, I was the only person rushin’ and blowing my whistle, I walked up to the band (which was very small—maybe 5 people) and started carryin’ on. I even forgot my son!
The female dancer started the circle/conga line, we joined her, danced and grooved. I had a duet with the lead dancer, kicked my legs as I walked through the Moko Jumbie’s stilts, then I remembered that I left my son. As I quickly looked around the circle for that distinctive curly afro and didn’t see him, I panicked. I immediately left the line and walked to the spot we were standing before the band started. Before I got there, I saw his little calm and reserved self, walking in the line with no expression and not blowing his whistle. In that moment I asked myself, how is this my child? He is so much like me and then in these instances, he is not. When I asked him what he was thinking, he said I was just like “there goes mom again” (screaminggggggggg!).
When the band finished, I was a sweaty mess—literally dripping. I dried off, trying to maintain what was left of my make-up. We decided to get a drink and check out the vendors which was very sparse. I ordered a milk shake for my son at an ice cream and sushi truck and a water for myself. Then, we walked over to the section that sold alcohol and we ordered a few cocktails, I had my usual Prosecco. Inner Circle was jammin’ and the crowd was rockin’ with them.
My son wanted a bubble gun so as I walked over to that vendor, I briefly glanced at a separate vendor section. I saw jewelry, artwork, clothes, oils, and carnival costumes. They had a gamming station ran by the Sunrise Police as well, but they were wrapping up when we got there. The officer informed me that they will be there again for their back-to-school event in August.
Before we left, we headed over to a food truck that sold Bahamian food. This is where I have questions. I ordered “crack conch which is called “fried conch” in South Florida and conch salad, which is also called conch salad, but it is made differently. It is visibly different, in terms of the color. It is red, some put black pepper and some type of vinegar which changes the taste considerably which is also BLASPHEMY by true Bahamian standards.
This version had no tomatoes and was overrun with cucumbers. I don’t recall there being any green peppers either. After I tasted the first bite, the owner of the food truck asked me what I thought. I told her it was good but definitely “different.” I said I am Bahamian, and this is not the way we make it. She said that she was also Bahamian, but this is the version that sells the most in the US. That was very interesting so…Miami/S. Florida Conch Salad vs Bahamian Conch Salad. What are your thoughts?
Final Words
I thoroughly enjoyed the event. I would love to see more cultural dance showcased at the event—like Caribbean dancers and Caribbean dances performed like Haitian Konpa, Folklore, Trinidadian Bélé, Puerto Rican Bomba, Jamaican Dancehall, etc. It would be great to showcase more food trucks as well.
The advertisement stated that there would be crafting, face painting, steel pan workshop, Moko Jumbie and Junkanoo Workshop, and piped music. Some of these things were scheduled earlier so, I am not sure if I missed it or it didn’t occur but overall, I thought it was a great event and I look forward to seeing it develop even further next year.
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