{"id":186,"date":"2025-09-09T12:33:56","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T12:33:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afrocaribrantfestival.org\/2026\/?p=186"},"modified":"2026-04-27T22:25:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T22:25:58","slug":"afro-caribrant-unites-cultures-in-celebration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afrocaribrantfestival.org\/2026\/afro-caribrant-unites-cultures-in-celebration\/","title":{"rendered":"Afro-CariBrant Unites Cultures in Celebration"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brant Beacon
\nKimberly de Jong : Local Journalism Initiative Reporter<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Thousands of visitors attended the third annual Afro-CariBrant festival at Lions Park in Paris on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7, 2025.<\/p>\n

Presented by Darmont GivesBack, the now two-day festival once again celebrated the rich culture, traditions and people of the African, Caribbean and Black communities living in the County of Brant, Brantford and beyond.<\/p>\n

Tobi Adedayo, CEO of Darmont GivesBack and the festival chair, said that this year\u2019s festival boasted a host of activities for the whole family, something she and her team have always prioritized when planning the event.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe always try to provide things, not just for the adults, but the children too,\u201d she said. \u201cThis event is all about sharing and celebrating our culture and so we really try to provide different activities to keep people engaged and to show them a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Several organizers pose alongside the Bahama Junkanoo Legends during the third annual Afro-CariBrant Festival at Paris\u2019 Lions Park on Saturday, September 6, 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n

Throughout the weekend-long, visitors of all ages got to enjoy a lineup of live entertainment and performances from several DJs, Elle de Lyon, the Efik Dance Troupe, Gem Shadou, the Bahama Junkanoo Legends, the Panatics Steelband, the Neema Choir, ArCee, Zazri\u2019El, and more.<\/p>\n

Guests also had the opportunity to join in on the fun during the Afro-CariBrant parade, the daily dance competitions, the Gwan Move fitness workshops, and Saturday\u2019s drum workshop with Chris Fire 10.<\/p>\n

While many children spent the weekend enjoying the playground equipment and activities in the Kids Zone, their parents and other adults often took the opportunity to shop from, and interact with, the many service providers and vendors in the marketplace.<\/p>\n

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Several youngsters take part in a dance competition during the third annual Afro-CariBrant Festival at Paris\u2019 Lions Park on Saturday, September 6, 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n

From clothing to jewellery, hair and skin products, custom tumblers and more, there were plenty of ways to support the small business owners on site.<\/p>\n

Essay Folami, programs director for Darmont GivesBack, said that another big part of the festival was the lineup of food vendors.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t come here and not enjoy all the food!,\u201d he said with a laugh.<\/p>\n

For those looking to indulge their tastebuds, there were several culinary options available throughout the venue. Vendors like Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, Big Josh Kitchen, Reggatina, TropiKups, Chungchun Rice Dog, Butter & Cr\u00e8me Bakery and Barbecue, Finger Foods Canada, Kemonaija Foods and JK\u2019s Restaurant, all spent the weekend keeping everyone fed and full.<\/p>\n

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One woman dances with a Trinidad and Tobago flag during the third annual Afro-CariBrant Festival at Paris\u2019 Lions Park on Saturday, September 6, 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n

Burford resident, Angela Green, and her sister, Dawn Frutti, who was visiting from Oakville, said this was their first time visiting the Afro-CariBrant Festival.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe vibe is just great and I also love that they\u2019ve incorporated the kids, it\u2019s been really fun to see them get into too,\u201d said Green.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so much fun; this is totally our kind of music, everyone seems really nice, and it\u2019s a beautiful park,\u201d added Frutti.<\/p>\n

As a nearby neighbour, Green said it was great to see an event like Afro-CariBrant happening in the Paris community.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s a really great way to draw awareness to all the different cultures that are here,\u201d she said. \u201cI feel like African-Caribbean culture is only growing within the community and so I think it\u2019s really awesome to be able to showcase that. The fact that it\u2019s a free event too? That just makes it more accessible and draws people to the town; I can really see this event growing each year as more people become aware of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Two children enjoy playing in the Kids Zone during the third annual Afro-CariBrant Festival at Paris\u2019 Lions Park on Saturday, September 6, 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n

Folami later said he was thrilled with this year\u2019s turnout.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u200b\u200bWe\u2019ve already had probably around 4,000 people stop by today and it\u2019s just the first day. Our goal was around 7,000 for the whole weekend, so we\u2019ll see how many people come out tomorrow, but we seem to have more people out than we thought we would this year which is amazing,\u201d he said. \u201cThe weather is good; it\u2019s not too hot, not too cold, and it really allows people to come out and enjoy themselves. The vendors are having fun and even those that were here last year have noticed how great the turnout has been.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Paris resident Amanda Whalen O\u2019Connor, and Kathy-Ann Fearon of JK\u2019s Restaurant, show off a full platter of food during the third annual Afro-CariBrant Festival at Paris\u2019 Lions Park on Saturday, September 6, 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Big Josh Kitchen staff smile for the camera during the third annual Afro-CariBrant Festival at Paris\u2019 Lions Park on Saturday, September 6, 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n

Kimberly De Jong\u2019s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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