KILLINGTON — Eat, drink and be “Irie” is the theme for Vermont’s first Caribbean Foodie festival, scheduled for July 31-Aug. 1, 2015 at Killington Resort. The resort announced what it plans to be the first Annual Vermont JerkFest & Reggae Festival celebrating all things spicy and jerk hot in the cool mountains of Vermont, on Tuesday, April 7.
This family-friendly, Caribbean-style foodie festival, features local Jamaican jerk spiced food, spirits, craft brew and entertainment for the whole family. The festival is Festival is held in collaboration with the Town of Killington and Killington Resort and is produced by The Williams Agency, a Cambridge-based marketing agency that organizes some of the area’s top food and cultural festivals, including Boston JerkFest, Boston Local Food Festival, Cambridge Carnival International and Hyper-Local Brewfest & Local Craft Brewfest.
“Vermont reminds me so much of Jamaica. Vermonters are down to earth, they connect with the land, and are hard working people—plus the mountains remind me of back home. Vermont JerkFest will incorporate values that we are passionate about such as local food, cultural diversity, and respect for our planet,” said festival Producer Nicola Williams.
Festival goers can expect two days of spicy fun in the sun, which will begin at the Rum & Brew Tasting held Friday night, 6:30-10 p.m. The spicy festivities continues with the Jerk Food and Reggae Festival on Saturday, 12-7 p.m., at the jerk food and reggae portion of the festival. Following the Vermont JerkFest, festival attendees will fill the streets of Downtown Killington, for the Killington Jerk Jam after-parties, which will be hosted by local businesses. The festival will highlight Jamaican jerk food, spicy food, and Caribbean-themed libations from local and New England regional Chefs and food producers. Jerk is the specialty cuisine of Jamaica that it not only mouth-burning hot, but also includes delicious blends of aromatic spices to wake up all your senses.
An important component for the Vermont JerkFest is showcasing and promoting local agriculture and local food. Vendors will be encouraged to source locally. This is a zero waste event to minimize the impact on our environment.
Food festival tickets range from $5-$25 and are free for children under 10. The Rum & Brew Tasting tickets are $50 and $100 for VIP Admission. For tickets and information, please visit vermontjerkfest.com.
