Groove Is in the Park

Summer is tough on Floridians. Months of sprinting from one pocket of air conditioning to another can crush your soul. Fortunately, one festival is set to revive it: Today’s Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival packs in enough slow-cooked love to shift your EKG reading from sluggish to Soca.

While the temperature outside drops into the bearable range, you’ll warm your belly with tantalizing Caribbean treats while sneaking peeks at entrants in the meticulously-judged Jerk competition. Reconnect to island culture with Moko Jumbie stilt walkers, joint-jilting contortionists, and the highly-anticipated “Bandana Goes Bashment” fashion show. Take a digestion break and dance near the day-long domino tournament or cruise the highly-competitive cricket match for tips on SoFla’s fastest-growing sport. Just don’t miss this festival, or your stomach will never speak to you again.

Tickets cost $10 in advance and $20 at the gate, but the fest is free to children under 10. It’s being held at Markham Park (16001 W. St. Rd. 84, Sunrise) and runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Visit jerkfestival.com.
Sun., Nov. 8, 10 a.m., 2009