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Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW The Family Caribbean Festival signals the start of the school year and celebrates the end of summer, and in its third year, organizer Chris Graziano, of Graziano Gardens, believes it will be bigger and better than ever. "This time we're really going authentic," he told Reminder Publications. "We have a band coming from Jamaica [the Itals], we have a West Indian caterer serving Caribbean jerked chicken... We want to bring more culture to East Longmeadow." This year's festival will focus more on Caribbean culture while also bringing back family favorites, such as the dunk tank with principals and the superintendent, a rock climbing wall, bounce houses, a raffle, face painting, sand art and more. "The kids love getting the chance to dunk their principals," Bill Fonseca of the School Committee noted. Normal festival fare like hamburgers, hot dogs, fried dough, popcorn and ice cream will all be available for purchase, and School Committee members and school personnel will be doing all the cooking, according to Fonseca. The money raised by the Family Caribbean Festival goes toward the Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) of the five schools in town. Last year, $22,000 was donated to the PTOs to purchase small things that weren't included in budgets. "It's just another way to generate income for things individual schools need, small purchases like white boards," Fonseca said. "This is just a fun, secure event for families and a nice fundraiser event," Graziano added. One of the highlights of this year's festival will be the music acts taking the stage. No times had been slated for performances as of press time. The Itals were a reggae vocal group formed in 1976 by Alvin "Keith" Porter, Ronnie Davis and Lloyd Ricketts. The group recorded several albums through the late 1970s and '80s. Their debut single, "Ina Dis Time," is regarded as the group's finest work, and topped the Jamaican charts. "Rasta Philosophy" was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Reggae Album in 1987. The line-up changed over the years, with former solo artist David Isaacs joining in 1987. Davis left the group in 1994, and was replaced by Porter's daughter, Kada. Anthem describe themselves as "a truly original sound that is creating a big wave throughout the USA." They provide "musical enchantment and diversity for lovers of all reggae, from roots to dancehall." According to their Myspace page, Anthem is a diverse family that wants everyone to have as much fun listening to the music as they do playing it. The live shows provide entertainment for your ears and your eyes, and raise the vibe to levels unlike any you have previously experienced. And, returning this year is the Boston-based group Hot Like Fire, who tout themselves as "New England's most sought after party reggae band." Trumpet player Kelley Bolduc founded Hot Like Fire during her last year at Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1989. She met a student from Barbados and traveled there with him. After falling in love with Caribbean music she returned to Boston to start her own band, performing reggae and calypso music. Its members hailed from different Caribbean islands and America. Through the years Hot Like Fire has refined itself to a contemporary six-piece band. They play a mix of reggae covers, originals and soca music with a little trumpet seasoning. According to their Myspace page, "a night with Hot Like Fire will leave you feeling good vibes and hopefully sweating!" "This is a fun, family-oriented event," Fonseca commented. "It's a great way for the community to support its schools." The third annual Family Caribbean Festival will be taking place on Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Center Field. Tickets are $5 in advance and are available at Graziano Gardens, 280 Elm St., and from the PTOs of the five schools in town. Tickets will also be available the day of the festival for $8. | ||||||
