Kingston Creatives reignites Carnival in Jamaica with free festival

If you thought the carnival in Jamaica festivities came to a halt after Carnival Road March 2024, you may have been misled.

There’s another group of feterans slated to take to the streets of downtown Kingston this weekend for more carnival festivities for the las’ lap.

The Main Event Entertainment Group, Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) and Red Stripe Flavours have partner with Kingston Creative to host 'Last Fete of the Season' on April 28.

And expectations are high for patrons as the producers promise an immersion of rich Caribbean culture merged into the heart of downtown Kingston culture.

Organisers have set the tone for entertainment by providing steel pan music by the Panoriddim Orchestra; a live musical performance by the Alpha Institute Community Band; and dance showcases by the Denham Town Dance Academy.

And, to wrap things up, plans are in place for DJ Brush 1 'the Road Marshall' and DJ Bloodline Franco to host a Carnival fete.

A tour of downtown Kingston is integral to the festival, according to the deputy director of Kingston Creatives, Janet Crick.

‘We want everyone to explore downtown and experience the rich culture in the communities so they can appreciate and preserve our heritage.’

She also noted a partnership with the Trench Town Culture Yard on this specific tour – as the group has partnered with ‘Culture Yard’ in the past – hinting ‘its rich musical heritage’.

To kick off the festivities, attendees will be chauffeured via complimentary bus tour to the iconic Trench Town Culture Yard as part of the Rediscover Downtown initiative.

This historic site, once home to legendary musician Bob Marley, now houses a museum showcasing the rich history of Trench Town and artefacts used by music icons such as Tata Ford, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer.

Culture-forward beer brand Red Stripe, has long supported the Kingston Creative movement, having signed on as one of the first benefactors from the onset.

So, naturally, Red Stripe Flavours Brand Manager Jodi-Ann Campbell excitedly carries the mantle.

‘We are always interested’, she said in a statement, ‘in supporting gatherings where our consumers embrace our cultural melting pot. We look forward to seeing the patrons enjoy the experience – for this is not merely a party, it is an experience, and we look forward to more partnerships that aim to connect people in exciting ways.’

The space is prepped for domino games, paint-and-sip activities, and performances by PenSoul Poets Rica G and Viridian.

Over 40 artisans will be on show, sell handcrafted Jamaican art, books, beauty products, clothing, ceramics, jewellery, and accessories.

Some vendors include Marcia Adams's Beauty Lies Within, Mekari Beauty, Karen's Kitchen, I-Nation Books, Unique Inspirations, Naddzzdezigns, Delroy Millwood Art, and AdorNable Accessories.

Marvin George, the dean of studies at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts’ School of Drama, will lead a discourse on the cultural significance of Carnival in Jamaica.

Patrons are also encouraged to visit the museums at the Institute of Jamaica on East Street, and the National Gallery of Jamaica on Orange Street, as these cultural institutions will be open to the public during the Art Walk.