Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Caribbean comes to Hollywood
Get a taste of the islands at today’s festival.
Reggae, fruit-flavored wines and beers from a Homestead winery and a Boca Raton microbrewery, and jerk chicken from a Hollywood Jamaican restaurant are scheduled to highlight a Caribbeanthemed festival set to debut today in downtown Hollywood.
The inaugural South Florida Wine and Beer Festival/A Caribbean Experience will take place at the ArtsPark at Young Circle from noon until 9 p.m. Organizers call it “an opportunity to enjoy food, wine and beers … [of ] the island culture. The festival is inclusive of all the Caribbean Islands, African, Caribbean and Latin Caribbean Islands.”
The festival is scheduled to take place rain or shine and is age-restricted to those 18 and older. Bracelets allowing attendees to drink will be issued to those 21 and older. Tickets are available online for $25 per person ($20 for military, teachers, police and other government employees). Admission will cost more at the gate, but organizers did not specify the price online and did not respond to an email seeking more details.
Attendees will receive a wine glass or mug to sample fruit-flavored wines and beers from Schnebly Redland’s Winery and Brewery near Homestead, and Barrel of Monks Brewing of Boca Raton. Music will include reggae from Code Red Band and live DJs. Cooking demonstrations and art displays are also included in the admission price.
For additional cost, attendees will be able to purchase cocktails and food from bars, stalls and food trucks. Ginger Bay Cafe, a Jamaican restaurant in Hollywood, and the Lobsta Guy food truck are listed as participants.
Organizers say a portion of proceeds will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “Outside food or beverages, pets and bad vibes” are prohibited, organizers say, but attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and good vibes.
ArtsPark at Young Circle is located at 1 N. Young Circle in Hollywood.