Crowds outside Covent Garden Market for the London Multicultural Festival (credit: Jack Sutton XFM News)
London’s Premier Caribbean festival, Island Fest, is from July 26th to July 28th. It will be taking place at Covent Garden Market. Island Fest was conceived in 2022 to bring the Caribbean community together and teach those outside of it about their culture.
“We have a lot of Caribbean people in London,” Says Entertainment and Hospitality Coordinator Chad Wickham. “How can we put together something to bring it all together? And that is the that is the core importance of Island Fest.”
When asked about entertainment, Wickham said they have a headliner for each night.
“On Friday, we have a local from London, King Croft. He’s a breakthrough artist right here in Canada. He will be representing London and headlining the Festival on Friday.”
Wickham also said they would have spoken word acts to help teach the history of the Caribbeans.
“On Saturday, we have Jax coming from Toronto. He is a Soca artist and one of the biggest Soca artists in Ontario. On Sunday, We have an international performer. She’s coming from Trinidad and Tobago, and her name is Kavita. She is known as the Chutney Empress”
They will also have a variety of acts in several different languages to showcase the diversity of the Caribbeans. But beyond music, there will also be food and games at the festival.
“People can expect the Jamaican-style Jerk, the Trinidad-style Roti, and doubles. We have Bohemian vendors bringing their style of food, and we have Beach Beijing Barbados vendors as well,” says Wickham. “We have two Latin food vendors. It’s going to be lots of good food and lots of good flavors throughout the weekend.”
When asked about potential attendance numbers, Wickham said they had approximately 5000 attendees last year and expect 8,000-10,000 this year.
“All of that stuff that I mentioned is completely free. All you have to do is show up at Covenant Garden Market, and you can just come right in and enjoy the vendors, the food, the entertainment.”
