PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. Nov. 15, 2022. The Florida sun bore down as a panoply of sights, sounds, and

aromas infused the Port St. Lucie City Center with the inimitable spirit of the Caribbean. The jerk festival

staged for three years by CACG was back, welcomed after the COVID-19 hiatus—bigger, better, and

rebranded as the Annual Caribbean Food and Music Festival (Carifest).

After the opening prayer, which is a feature of every CACG event, President Dawn Bloomfield got things

rolling as she welcomed dignitaries and supporters, reiterating the organization’s commitment to

enriching the diversity of the Treasure Coast by exposing residents and visitors to the unique features of

Caribbean culture.

Thanking CACG’s sponsors for their continued support, the president highlighted Gotham Cigar

Enthusiasts, TRUIST Bank, the law firm of Cushnie & McMahon, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, Real Estate

of Florida, Martin Downs Golf Club, Law Office of Eula R. Clarke, JN Money Services, Amy Michaels Law,

104.5 FM THE FLAME, and ACCH Insurance. Other donors and sponsors who received CACG’s gratitude

were Dayspring Cargo Services, Vinny’s Commercial Concrete, Luis Remartin General Contractors,

Howard & Melodie Minott, Winnie Crosdale, Rockdabox, Showmax Production, Angels Adult Plus

Services, and Queen of Images, Iron Mush Photography.

City Manager Russ Blackburn echoed Ms. Bloomfield’s sentiments, praising the efforts of organizations

like CACG that are working to make the counties of the Treasure Coast even more vibrant and exciting.

With the formalities complete, an array of deejays took to the stage, stirring the swelling crowd to their

feet, with a diet of pulsating rhythms reflecting every era of Caribbean music.

Not to be outdone, food vendors served up exotic Caribbean specialties whose signature spices,

seasonings, and unique cooking methods drew guests to the food tents to pile their plates with chicken,

seafood, curry beans, rice and peas, corn, ribs, and kebabs, washed down with island concoctions of

fruit mixes, punches, coconut water, lemonade, and sundry hard stuff. And then came the desserts –

puddings, cakes, ice cream, buns, tarts, and confectionery items representing traditional Caribbean

tastes blended with modern favorites.

On the outskirts, vendors plied a variety of wares and services ranging from facepainting, arts and crafts,

apparel, island memorabilia, jewelry and accessories to books, and business and community services

including banking, insurance, mortgages, and legal services.

One of CACG’s flagship fundraisers to garner support for its philanthropic activities, Carifest drew

hundreds of supporters, creating a blend of colors, interests, and activities that outlasted the sun and

the heat as revelers cooled out into the evening. As night fell, the entertainment headliners descended

on the stage, rocking those eager to dance, with oldies and new rhythms from Mega Banton, JoJo

Romero & Night Shift, Code Red, and the legendary Third World Band from Jamaica.

When the lights dimmed, and the curtain was poised to come down, President Bloomfield and her

Carifest Committee led by co-chairs Phil Stephenson and Michelle “Mush” Irons were well pleased, and

so were the participants, replenished with a sumptuous taste of the islands. But no one was more

pleased than the winner of the event’s biggest raffle, who wheeled home the giant wheelbarrow

overflowing with Caribbean spirits! She will be ingesting island liquor for a long time to come!

Looking back on the day, Co-Chair Stephenson echoed his president’s sentiments, thanking the

supporters and reiterating CACG’s commitment, “This is the spirit of the Caribbean. We brought it to the

Treasure Coast from back home, and we will nurture and preserve it, so everyone can experience what it

means to come from our unique islands!”

On this day in November, all who had ventured to the city center left with a truckload of memories of

the kind of merrymaking only Caribbean people can do. And Port St. Lucie was the chief beneficiary!

Carifest is CACG’s final major event for 2022, but with the new year already peeping around the corner,

President Bloomfield is rallying her troops. They will hit the ground running in 2023, with the annual

Martin Luther King Celebration, CACG’s premier event, slated for January 16 at Sunlight Community

Church, 477 SW Cashmere Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34986, starting at 11:00 a.m.

Plans are also well advanced for the 2023 Scholarship Awards, which will see another crop of bright St.

Lucie youngsters marching off to college with CACG’s support!

In keeping with its motto, “Together We Achieve,” CACG looks forward to welcoming new members,

donors, and patrons who are eager to contribute to the enterprise of community building through

service to others.

Contact: Dawn Bloomfield[954-636-9067], or Neville Lake [772-834-2522], Caribbean American Cultural

Group, 10012-10014 S. US Highway 1, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34952 http://www.cacgpsl.org/

https://www.facebook.com/CACGInc

Submitted by Frances Coke