BY: JELANI GRANT
The Annual Jamaica Day Summerfest is scheduled to take over Woodbine Outdoor Grounds Sept 1st and 2nd. More than 15,000 have attended, and now that it has outgrown the Toronto location, they’re moving to the Woodbine Outdoor Grounds at 500 Rexdale Blvd., in anticipation of 20,000 visitors.
The two-day family fun event will include a Dominos tournament, authentic Caribbean food and fashion vendors, all with the intent of celebrating the sights, sounds, and flavors of Jamaica. Despite its name, however, the festival is put on each year with the intent of embracing all of the islands. “It’s really to celebrate the Caribbean culture period”, Top Cat Entertainment CEO Marv Brown said. “It’s teamwork, everybody comes together in one big celebration, just a Caribbean feel.”
“There will be Jamaican and Caribbean food, fashion and an authentic Caribbean arts and crafts market. A Caribbean Kids Zone with a waterpark, rides and a ‘So You Think You Can Whine’ competition…This year we’re gonna have bigger sounds, A-class entertainment, zip liners for the kids in the day, waterslides, water bikes. Its never been done like that in Toronto for Jamaica Day so this is a big year.”
Jamaica Day Summerfest has brought premier entertainment to the GTA for the past 27 years in a safe and secure environment and now that the festival will be located at the Woodbine Mall Outdoor Grounds, the entire weekend is sure to be unforgettable with the ever-growing crowd.
Entertainment will include an international and local line-up with big names like Tarrus Riley, Elephant Man, Konshens, Shaddai, Tifa, Iba Mahr, Nana McLean, Razor B, Eyesus and Chux Starr. Shaddai, Tifa, Iba Mahr and Razor B will perform both nights while Konshens is scheduled to headline the Saturday night and Riley is set to headline on Sunday, though Brown wants to encourage guests to enjoy everything Jamaica Day Summerfest has to offer. “It’s not really just a concert, it’s a family day for the kids to come out and enjoy themselves,” Brown said.
Known in the industry as Big Marv, the Top Cat CEO has been bringing in A-list performers to Toronto years before it would be called ‘The 6ix’. Brown began event planning during his teens, charging $1.50 admission for parties in his Brampton basement. By the 90s, Brown and his business partner Roy Fowl would be recognized for bringing in big R&B names such as Faith Evans, Dru Hill, and 112. Since then, Brown has continued to provide entertainment to the masses by using his connections in the entertainment industry to provide support for those in need. Currently, he is working with Cantor Fitzgerald Celebrity Charity. Thus far, they have managed to donate $380 million towards families of 9/11 victims as well as relief for natural disasters. Cantor Fitzgerald lost 658 friends and colleagues, and 61 Eurobrokers in the 9/11 World Trade Center terrorist attack. This year, Brown is organizing the concert portion of the charity to be held the night before in hopes of raising even more funds.
Those looking for a more exclusive JASummerfest experience can purchase The VIP JA Cabana Lounge package which provides closer access to the stage, line-up bypass for shorter waits, a personal bar area with three premium bottles and one wine bottle. VIP pass holders will also be given access to a backroom party. Anyone who bought tickets before Aug 1st will be entered for a chance to win a trip for two anywhere Caribbean Airlines flies. Tune into G98.7 for another opportunity to win that trip. For those who have not yet bought festival tickets, they can be purchased in advance online, with a special discount for children under twelve. Festival doors open at 11 A.M.
