Few things excite Grace Cameron more than having the opportunity to share her Jamaican culture with Torontonians — and that’s exactly what she’s doing for hundreds of locals in the city this weekend.
Cameron is a proud Jamaican woman who has lived in Toronto since she was young.
On Saturday, she is hosting her second annual “Jamaica in January” event at STACKT market. There, she and other Jamaican vendors present the lively flavours, sounds and entertainment of her homeland to large and eager crowds of locals.
Since she began organizing Caribbean-themed events in 2017, Cameron has always aimed to present her culture in a way that’s both celebratory and educational.
By combining the offerings of traditional Jamaican food, music, games and dancing, she believes attendees get a distinctive and memorable experience that can’t be matched anywhere else in Toronto.
“This is really special,” she told TorontoToday of the event. “It’s a way of showing the layers of who we are while having fun. It fosters a kind of connection, and that’s how we’re different.”
“We don’t put on a show where you just come and buy something then leave,” Cameron said. “We want you to connect with the people in and around you, even if you’re not Jamaican.”
Images of the food alone would be enough to leave Torontonians salivating, she said. Offerings like jerk chicken, jerk chicken lasagna, rice and peas, Jamaican hot chocolate, as well as traditional soups, porridge and pastries make up the event’s hot lineup.
Aside from sampling the cuisine, Jamaica in January attendees can participate in and enjoy a song-writing contest, buy from cultural vendors and dance the evening away to Caribbean music.
Other events like Jamaican Jeopardy, a rice and peas cooking demo, dominoes matches and a game called Ludo — a popular activity in the English-speaking Caribbean — will also be available for attendees.
“A lot of people smile when they see [Ludo] because it reminds them of home,” Cameron said. “Even people who aren’t Jamaican, they get really into it. It’s very simple and very homey. It’s supposed to really touch your heart.”
The Jamaica in January event was created as part of Cameron’s attempt to consolidate the number of events she hosts in the city during any given year. Cameron strategized with her colleagues in choosing a date that would help make their cultural festivities stand out, and they eventually landed on hosting the event during the first month of the year.
“We figured not much happens in January, and it’s cold, so we started talking about Jamaica in January,” she explained.
Not only was the proposed “Jamaica in January” name catchy, Cameron said the festivities can provide Caribbean natives and Torontonians alike “a little bit of respite from winter.”
“Even if you come and stay for half an hour, you leave feeling somewhat warmed up,” she said.
Last year, Jamaica in January brought roughly 300 people to STACKT Market. Based on pre-registration numbers and early estimates, Cameron predicted they’ll easily double that total on Saturday.
Jamaica in January is free to attend and runs until 9 p.m. this evening.
