The 2024 Caribbean Fusion Festival, held on Sunday April 28 at Kissimmee’s Lakefront Park, was a beautifully vivid celebration that drew record crowds and featured over 85 vendors and exhibitors, making it a vibrant experience of Caribbean culture.
The festival’s crowds were treated to an exquisite selection of Caribbean cuisine, providing a taste of the region’s most delightful dishes. Beyond the culinary delights, the festival also showcased a musical lineup with performances by renowned Soca, Reggae, and Calypso artists such as Red Plastic Bag, Terry Gajraj, and The Island Rebels Band, along with a special appearance from U.S. Congressman Darren Soto and the popular dance group, Flava Dance.
The festival was designed with families in mind, offering numerous activities for children including bounce houses and face painting, ensuring an enjoyable day for all ages. The day started with a ceremonial opening led by the Gateway High School honor guard, with Andy King, President of the Caribbean and Floridian Association, serving as the master of ceremonies. The gathering was marked by the attendance of several elected officials and began with a prayer from the Solid Rock Church.
The Caribbean Fusion Festival was supported by Experience Kissimmee, the City of Kissimmee, KUA, Toho Water, Positively Osceola, Lara’s Shipping, and the Gazette.
If you missed the festival you’ll have another opportunity next year, as the Caribbean Fusion Festival organizers are already promising an even larger event in 2025.
A Brief History of The Caribbean & Floridian Association, Inc.
The Caribbean & Floridian Association was founded by Stokely A. Jack and Conrad Randolph, recognizing the need to assist new arrivals to Central Florida, especially those from Caribbean backgrounds. The first meeting of ‘CAFA’ took place in July 1990, attended by like-minded Central Floridians in a church on Smith Street in Kissimmee and today ‘CAFA’ still aims to integrate its members into all community aspects—cultural, political, and educational. In November 1991, the Association was officially incorporated, establishing a supportive network for the Caribbean community in Central Florida.
