by Nicholas Joseph
Jamaicans living in Metro Atlanta continue to transpose their
culture on a city already edgy about newcomers. But like it or not,
the First Annual Jerk Festival had a smooth and well-delivered
execution, giving birth to a bouncy, some may even add juicy, Labor
Day weekend festivity.
The formidable radio personality of Natural Mystic, WCLK 91.9 F.M.,
Glen Simmonds, in association with Webba Promotions have proved the
old adage true: "If you build it they will come." Miles of
cars lined the back streets of C&D Hideaway to feast at the
hands of Jamaica’s finest jerkers.
For the naysayers who always complained about location and the
distance, the Lithonia, Stone Mountain area pulled a large crowd on
the Sunday before the Labor Day national holiday. The crowd was a
mixture of all classes, creeds, religions and socio-economic
backgrounds.
About a mile away, on climbing the small hill to C&D
Hideaway, the alluring scent of spicy jerk seasoning perfumed the
Stone Mountain atmosphere, chasing away any remnants of evil in a
spot once famous for its Klu Klux Klan reunions. Surely, that was
then. Now, Caribbean folks can lay claim to a historic moment when
Jerk chicken was made famous in Atlanta.
As we entered the park, the mystic man, Glen Simmonds, was still
on his cellphone tying up loose ends to ensure no mishap. He was
answering a call came from a patron who was apparently directionally
challenge.
Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Atlanta Vin Martin joined the
gathered masses well into the evening’s program. On this occasion,
Mr. Martin’s presence was not needed to chair the proceedings,
only to enjoy great jerk chicken. A little tardiness was excusable
and acceptable.
It was a fun event, so cut the
always-punctual official some slack.
The event’s MC was the booming and verbose Jason Walker of WRFG
89.3 F.M. In his own style and format, Mr. Walker was on stage
having a great time. The first act was a poem by Melkeseti about
Marcus Garvey. Who knows? Had it not been for Garvey there would
never have been a Jerk Festival in Atlanta. The recital was
professionally presented and was well accepted by the audience.
Other performances came from the Swat Band and Erica Newell
At the northern corner of the park, smoked puffed out from jerk
tin pits constructed specifically for the event. Of the five initial
jerkers registered to participate in the competition two chickened
out prior to the event. As they say in the cooking business,
"if you can’t take the heat get out of the kitchen!"
Make no mistake about it: the jerked goodies were as authentic and
real as from yard. Yeh man it was de real ting, cooked and chopped
right before you very eyes.
The sponsors included: Air Jamaica, Money Gram, Caribbean Spice,
WRFG and others. And, Atlanta’s first Jerk Festival king is
Everton Welch
Remember the name, for one of these days that question may pop up
on Jeopardy.
