Caribbean-American International Festival heads to Long Island

Hempstead, LI:

Nassau County Executive, Edward P. Mangano, and the Jamaica Cultural Alliance have announced the launch of the First Annual Long Island Caribbean-American International Festival (LICAIF).

The festival is to be held at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Amphi Theatre at Eisenhower Park in Westbury, Long Island, on Monday.

Earl Lyn, Jr, vice-president of marketing and promotions of the Jamaica Cultural Alliance, and chairman of the LICAIF, said the theme for this year's event is "We all are one", which is geared towards bringing communities together in unison and celebrating each other's passions, heritage and cultures.

LICAIF is a free family-oriented event, which will feature a wide array of music, food, arts and craft, and displays from various Caribbean islands.

The event will also feature reknown Caribbean artistes, including the king and queen of Soca music - The Mighty Sparrow and Calypso Rose - reggae icon Freddie McGregor and Angel Band, along with an array of steel pan performers.

Great contributions

There will also be a costume and fashion show highlighting the culture, and a variety of styles from the Caribbean.

LICAIF will also commemorate the life of several legends whose great contributions to the Caribbean and American communities in New York State continue to have significant impact on the lives of millions of New Yorkers. These will include the late Earl Lyn, Sr, founder of Nakisaki Restaurants; the late Carlos Lezama, founder of North America's largest festival, the West Indian American Day Carnival; and the late Vincent Chin, founder of VP Records.

LICAIF will also take time out to recognise the birthday of Jamaican national hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, who became a civil-rights champion in the United States.

LICAIF will also join the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), Inc, in celebrating its 25th anniversary.

The CACCI, founded in August 1985, is a statewide membership organisation, which has developed expertise in providing business assistance to small and start-up business owners in areas of business planning, financing, certification, procurement, business expansion, and export/import opportunities.