Virginia CaribFest: An Island Getaway in Harbor Park

By Caroline Stauffer

Nothing keeps Caribbean-Americans away from their Carnivals, not even high gas prices. “In the Caribbean, when people hear about a Carnival -- they come out, even when the economy is bad,” said Abby Mills, Treasurer of the Virginia Caribbean-American Cultural Association Inc. (VCACA). “A lot of people can’t make it home –- but we can get in our cars and drive to another state.” Mills and other VCACA members recently returned from Washington, D.C., where 300,000 turned out for the D.C. Caribbean Carnival. VCACA, a Norfolk-based 501c3 nonprofit organization, expects a record turnout for its signature annual event, Virginia CaribFest, July 18 – 19 in Harbor Park.

Now in its third year, CaribFest grew from 1,500 attendees in 2006 to 6,000 in 2007. The organization believes the majority of last year’s participants came from out of town, and increased local marketing for the 2008 event. Sharing visual and performing cultural arts with people of all ethnicities and origins is a major part of VCACA’s mission.

In addition to Saturday’s parade, Caribbean food vendors and live musical performances, this year VCACA will debut a steel band jamboree and a calypso monarch competition beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday. Two local calypso groups will compete against artists from out of state.

Saturday’s festivities kick off at 1 p.m. with a masquerade / carnival parade from Town Point Park to Harbor Park. Musical performances inside Harbor Park will include Soca artists Nadia Batson, Ms Alysha and Michelle Sylvester, Kompa band Big Deal, the Virginia Reggae group Bukwi and Reggaeton artists Jacko y Manno.

The Virginian-Pilot featured CaribFest’s annual culinary offerings in its July 2 “Flavor” section by highlighting Paula Fleming, a Norfolk resident who grew up in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Fleming’s specialties from her homeland include fish cakes, stewed chicken, spicy oxtails, conch and patties, which are Caribbean empanadas. Fleming will be one of many vendors serving up cultural treats at the festival.

Mills said that all Caribbean islands, “Cuba all the way to Trinidad,” are represented, as are many Central American countries. She emphasized the variety within Caribbean culture, yet pointed out that the different island nationalities also have much in common. “Jamaicans may call a fruit one name, while the exact same fruit eaten on the Virgin Islands may have an entirely different name,” she said. Such diversity, yet familiarity, makes coming together to celebrate Carnival a fun and exciting cultural experience.

Admission to CaribFest is $5 for adults on Friday and $2 for children 6 – 12 years old. Saturday admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 – 12. The event is billed as family friendly.

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