A new festival in Midtown London will look to bring Caribbean food and culture to people from surrounding areas such as London North.
Island Fest is a two-day event showcasing Caribbean-inspired vendors and performers from across Southwestern Ontario and beyond, with the goal of raising awareness of the culture within the region. A number of food vendors have been announced, including TNT Tabanca, Taste of the Caribbean, and Cool Convenience, offering a taste of the islands’ signature foods. There will also be an artisan market, including facepainting and henna tattoos from The Island Artist and products from sellers like Kingdom Inspired, Island Son Peppersauce, and Zee Store.
The weekend will also see a number of live performances reflecting the diversity of Caribbean culture, from modern hip-hop to tribal dancing descended from African tradition. Performers include DJ Lady AI, Golden Harps Steel Orchestra, and The Ground Shakers Tassa. Cultural festivals such as this can help to showcase regional diversity and expose visitors to new tastes and sounds, often attracting attention through colourful poster printing and word-of-mouth. Island Fest hopes to be a major annual event in London, similar to Toronto’s famed Caribana and other festivals around Southern Ontario.
The inaugural edition of Island Fest will take place on July 29 and 30, 2023, at Rotary Square in the Covent Garden Market.
