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Story and Photos by Marika N. Johnson | For the Birmingham Times
Thousands of visitors filled DeBardeleben Park on Saturday for the 13th annual Marvel City Caribbean Food and Music Festival, transforming downtown Bessemer into a vibrant showcase of Caribbean culture, music, food, and tradition. The annual event, organized by the Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization (CACAO), drew attendees from across Alabama and neighboring states for a day-long celebration of island heritage.
The festivities began with the festival’s signature Caribbean parade, as colorful masqueraders, dancers, drummers, and performers made their way through the streets of downtown Bessemer before arriving at the park. Spectators lined the parade route, cheering as participants in elaborate costumes danced to the rhythms of soca, reggae and Caribbean percussion.
Friends Dr. Charlena Morton, Danielle Lewis Matthews and LaTavia Goodwin enjoy good vibes in the park. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)Once inside the festival grounds, visitors were greeted by an array of Caribbean flavors, including jerk chicken, curry dishes, seafood, plantains and tropical beverages. Dozens of vendors, artisans and community organizations filled the park, creating a marketplace that lined the sidewalks.
Throughout the day, live entertainment kept the crowd energized with performances ranging from reggae to steel pan music to cultural dance exhibitions. Families gathered under the shade of DeBardeleben Park to recline in park chairs, relax on blankets, dance and eat good food.
Festival organizers said the event continues to serve as a bridge between cultures, providing an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to experience the rich traditions of the Caribbean while fostering community connections in Central Alabama.
Monique Hill and her daughter, Michelle from Birmingham didn’t want to miss this year’s festivities. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)“Knowledge is power,” said Pauline Ford, founder of CACAO. “We don’t know each other’s history or culture, and this gathering is a way of…introducing the community to Caribbean culture. We may season our food differently, we may sound a bit different, but we are actually all family.”
Ignacio ‘Iggy’ Pullom of Jamaican descent said, “We have to learn that there are many diverse cultures and out of one come many. Each particular island is different, the dialect is different, the food is different, the music is different, but when we come together in Bessemer, we have a safe space to enjoy each other and learn and grow.”
Taylor Imwalle from Huntsville buys earrings from a vendor at the festival. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)Since relocating to Bessemer in 2019, the festival has become one of the city’s most anticipated cultural events, regularly drawing crowds in the thousands.
As music echoed through downtown and attendees danced well into the evening, the festival once again demonstrated the power of cultural celebrations to bring people together. For many, the Marvel City Caribbean Food and Music Festival is a celebration of heritage, unity and the vibrant spirit of the Caribbean that continues to thrive in Alabama.
Learn more about the Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization (CACAO) at www.cacaoonline.org.
Vendors fix a plate of yellow rice and jerk chicken. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)
