The story
Taste of the Caribbean and Jerk Festival in Hartford
Since 2006, the Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival has brought island food, music, and culture to Hartford's Mortensen Riverfront Plaza each August. Launched by the Caribbean American Young Adults Social and Civic Organization with Riverfront Recapture, the free, day-long festival began with about 7,000 attendees and has grown substantially since.
In 2006, a coalition of Caribbean community leaders in the Hartford area, working through the Caribbean American Young Adults Social and Civic Organization, known as CAYASCO, set out to create a public event that would showcase Caribbean culture while also contributing directly to the city's ongoing efforts to revitalize its downtown and riverfront areas.