Experience the rhythm of the Caribbean

CaribeFest Sarnia

Friday, Sept. 15

1:30 – 8:00 PM

Join us for an expo-style, immersive cultural experience!

*FOOD *ARTISANS *DANCE * MUSIC *GUEST SPEAKER *INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS *VENDORS

FREE ADMISSION

Schedule of Performances

WHERE: Lambton College (Cestar Group Athletics & Fitness Complex), 1457 London Road in Sarnia, ON

A caribbean experience to remember

Jorge and América in dance costume Latin Fire Dance Company

MUSIC & DANCE

We have an incredible line-up of dancers and musicians! More details soon.

Performers

SHOP

A diverse group artisans and vendors. And don’t miss the FOOD!

Vendor List

LEARN

As you wander booth to booth you’ll have the opportunity to participate in several hands-on activities to help you immerse yourself in the culture and history of the Caribbean!

EVENT SCHEDULE

1:30 Event start (vendors open)

2:15 carnival spice

2:30 renaud thomas

3:00 merengue w/jonathan & Pierina

3:30 latin fire dance

4:00 in da house drumming

5:45 traditional dominican dancers (children)

6:00 merengue w/jonathan & pierina

6:15 joyful noise drummers

6:45 renaud thomas

7:00 latin fire dance

7:45 in da house drumming

8:00 community drum circle (open)

9:00 goodbye!

Performer Spotlight: Carnival Spice

Carnival Spice is an award-winning fitness and entertainment company devote to showcasing and elevating Caribbean Carnival arts across the world. Black Owned & Woman Fuelled, Carnival Spice is excited to bring di vibes to CaribeFest Sarnia 2023.

Visit Carnival Spice

Performer Spotlight: Latin Fire Dance Company

Sarnia’s newest and hottest dance company. Jorge & América will wow you with bachata and more.

Bonus: Visitors will be invited to LEARN during a short intro dance class at CaribeFest!

Visit Latin Fire Dance Company

Performer Spotlight: In Da House Drumming

Where there’s love there’s music let’s go Keeping the Rhythm of music alive 🎶🥁

At the end of CaribeFest, from 8-9PM In Da House Drummers will be hosting an open drum circle. Bring your drum and join in!

Visit In Da House

Performer Spotlight: Jonathan & Pierina

Born and raised in the beautiful Dominican Republic, Pierina & Jonathan are ready to teach Sarnia how to party with merengue!

Bonus: Visitors will be invited to LEARN during a short intro dance class at CaribeFest!

Joyful Noise Drummers

Catch the rhythm with the Joyful Noise Drummers (with Mike Blackmore). Bring your own drum and join in the open jam session at 8PM!

Vendor Spotlight: Harper & Co.

▫️𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 & 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴
▫️𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴
▫️𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘯 SW 𝘖𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰

Visit Harper & Co.

Vendor Spotlight: Dolly's Jerk Joint

A Sarnia favourite, Dolly will be serving up her famous Jamaican patties and jerk wraps. MMMMMMM

Visit Dolly's

Vendor Spotlight: GosDebbie Inc

Beauty, cosmetics & personal care showcasing African history & heritage

Visit GosDebbie

Vendor Spotlight: Crafted Crown

Check out Crafted Crown’s Island Vibes product line and get ready to REPRESENT!

Visit Crafted Crown

Vendor Spotlight: The Flour Pot

Serving up our unique Bajan salt fish cakes and Caribbean themed treats and desserts

Visit The Flour Pot

Vendor Spotlight: The Dessert Artist

Bespoke edible creations that delight the senses
🍫 Artisan filled chocolates
🎂 Special occasion cakes
🍪 Detailed sugar cookies
💃🏾 Edible figurines

Visit The Dessert Artist

Vendor Spotlight: Dirty Hands Free Mind

✨️ Kamara & Kelsey have been creating since childhood!
🎨 Sustainable handmade art, wood-carved decor, jewelry & more
🌿 Rocks, fossils, & wood locally foraged

Visit Dirty Hands Free Mind

Vendor Spotlight: Gabriel Osson

We’re excited to welcome celebrated Haitian-Canadian author Gabriel Osson, who will be onsite with a collection of writings, poetry, and audio CDs.

Visit Gabriel's site

Vendor Spotlight: Caesar's House of Bread

Specializing in real authentic Caribbean pastries using the superfood Freshly Grated Coconut to curate mouth watering and savoury delights.

Visit Caesar's House of Bread

Vendor Spotlight: Karoo Snack Delights

Are you ready for the goodness of gourmet breadfruit chips? Nurture. Luv. Nourish.

Learn more about breadfruit

Vendor Spotlight: The Book Keeper

Sarnia’s independent bookstore since 1980, the Book Keeper team works hard to make our community a safer, more inclusive place. Susan will be curating an incredible selection of books by Caribbean authors.

Visit The Book Keeper

caribefest sarnia vendors & PERFORMERS-

more coming, check back soon!

Guest Speaker: RENAUD THOMAS (haiti)

We’re so excited about his visit and can’t wait to hear what he has to share! Renaud has extensive experience in the fields of international cooperation and sustainable agriculture.

Renaud is director of Rayjon Share Care Haiti, He’s a fierce advocate for gender equality, actively supporting a rural Haitian Women’s Federation in their efforts to establish a cooperative breadfruit tree nursery and processing factory.

Renaud will bring a unique and insightful perspective on current events and the future of Haiti.

CaribeFest performers in costume: Jorge, Pierina, America

event highlight: sarnia journal story

“CaribeFest will be loud, fun and colourful”

–Heather Smith

Read Article in Sarnia Journal

Caribefest sarnia Partners

who is rayjon share Care?

We’re so proud to host CaribeFest Sarnia, in collaboration with amazing community partners. Together let’s highlight, learn about, and celebrate Caribbean culture and history!

For more than 37 years, Rayjon has worked in partnership with communities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to reach their goals in sustainable development and social justice. We invest in relationship building and the two-way exchange of knowledge, resources and skills to create bridges of sharing–local to global.

Learn more about the grassroots, community-led programs we support: