Twin Cities Carifest brings Caribbean culture to Minnesota

CATHY WURZER: Well, this summer on Minnesota Now, we're putting a spotlight on community gatherings across the state. And this week, we're featuring Twin Cities Carifest. From good food to music and a carnival parade, Twin Cities Carifest is a time when Minnesota's Caribbean community comes together to celebrate their rich cultural traditions.

Minnesota Now producer Simone Cazares spoke with the executive director of the festival, James Byron.

SIMONE CAZARES: So when I think about Minnesota's Caribbean community, it reminds me of the old saying, [SPEAKING JAMAICAN PATOIS], which you know means we are little, but we are strong, in Jamaican Patois. Can you speak to the tight-knit Caribbean community here in Minnesota and how people show up for each other?

JAMES BYRON: Seeing that we are all basically immigrants that come here from somewhere else, and seeing that we are all from the Caribbean, we are a bunch of little islands but are still interwoven as a great fabric. And within the upper Minnesota-- let's say, let's take where we live, Minneapolis and St. Paul.

We associate with everybody. Everyone practically knows everyone. And if you don't know that person, somebody will ask, did I-- you know that person down there? And therein lies that chain that we all survived by. We are all Caribbean. No matter what color, creed, or island you come from, we are all one.

SIMONE CAZARES: You know, being Jamaican myself, I've definitely seen that in Minnesota's Caribbean community. And Carifest is one of the biggest events of the year.

JAMES BYRON: So with Carifest, it's the one place in Minnesota that if you haven't seen a Caribbean person all year, come to Carifest. 99% of the time, they will be there at Carifest. It's the one meeting place that we all come to in the summer.

Most of our summer activities and events are built around Carifest, so somebody taking a vacation but postpone it or take it before Carifest to be there at Carifest. It's such a family-oriented event that we look forward to each and every year.

SIMONE CAZARES: All right, James. Let's start with the headliners. I know we have some pretty big names coming to Minnesota this year.

JAMES BYRON: This year, we have a host of artists. We have all the local artists-- well, not all, but most of the local artists, like Iras, Innocent, Wain MacFarlane, Irie Sol, Silkaholics, Samantha Moon. And it's headlined by the Request Band, Rayzor, [INAUDIBLE] Request Band, Ravi B, Nisha B, and a [INAUDIBLE] band coming out of Trinidad.

SIMONE CAZARES: All right. So I know you've got a lot of really good Caribbean food vendors, as well. Who's come in to Carifest this year?

JAMES BYRON: We have Extreme Cuisine that will be there. Irie Vibes will be there. Reggae Vibes will be there. We have this guy Cliff that has the best Caribbean barbecue. He'll also be there. Any Caribbean dish you think about, you could find it at the festival on that day. It's eat, drink, and be merry, and we offer that.

SIMONE CAZARES: And what have you heard from members of Minnesota's Caribbean community? What are they most excited about this year?

JAMES BYRON: Oh, largest target market is Guyanese and Indo-Asian. They're from Trinidad, so Ravi B is a big draw. And for the others, Farmer Nappy is a huge show. And people love that because Farmer Nat is one of the [INAUDIBLE] stars that is coming out of Trinidad and Tobago right now. So people are excited that he's coming here. The first time up in the Midwest.

SIMONE CAZARES: All right, James. Before you go, what are you most excited about for this year's Carifest?

JAMES BYRON: I am excited for the parade more than anything else. Like I say, you could have a music show anywhere, any day. But we at Carifest offer something of the carnival aspect that you could only find at Carifest. And the parade this year, I'm hoping that people come out and put a costume on and parade. And let's show people how we have a good time.

SIMONE CAZARES: Well, I'm really excited for this year's Carifest. Thank you so much for joining me on Minnesota Now.

JAMES BYRON: Thank you so much, Simone.

CATHY WURZER: That was Minnesota Now producer Simone Cazares speaking with James Byron, the executive director of Twin Cities Carifest. It happens this weekend in Bloomington.

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