From Ska to Rocksteady and Reggae to Dancehall, Jamaica has journeyed though 50 years of non-stop musical prowess that has taken the world by storm and organizers of the 11th annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival will recreate and showcase this journey on the Main Stage at beautiful Markham Park in Sunrise on November 11, 2012.

This family-friendly festival of food, fun and phenomenal entertainment will no doubt live up to its reputation this year with the veteran and up and coming entertainers slated to ignite the Main Stage.

According to Abdul Muhsin, a Director of the festival, “This is Jamaica’s 50th year; we’re celebrating our culture, food and music and it’s important to share this culture with everyone.” He said the melting pot of ethnicities such as the Chinese, Indians and of course Africans in Jamaica have created this unique and world renowned culture.

An important part of this culture – the music – will be showcased on the festival’s Main Stage. Muhsin says the headliner John Holt will bring the kind of showmanship and create the kind of nostalgia patrons will appreciate.

“We will be highlighting the music over the span of 50 years,” Muhsin says, adding that Holt, one of Jamaica’s most prolific artistes, will ignite the stage with his “1000 Volts”. Holt will have no problems picking from his extensive repertoire of Studio One and other hits, and all time favorites including “Wear You to the Ball”, “My Heart is Gone”, “If I Were a Carpenter”, “Love I can Feel”, and “Tonight” that will take old-timers down memory lane and woo youngsters. For the more political-minded, hits like “Police in Helicopter” will strike a chord.

Also hitting the main stage will be harmony trio The Mighty Diamonds. Muhsin describes the veteran group as, “the epitome of the trios that were popular in Jamaica, following in the same vein as groups like the Wailers, The Heptones and The Paragons.” The group, which is best known for its debut album, “The Right Time” will bring fan favorites like “I Need A Roof”, “Bodyguard”, “Have Mercy” and “Pass The Kouchie”. Muhsin says they were the last of these revered trios and that the group not only did love songs, they did songs that motivate.

Rounding out the Main Stage will be Gem Myers, Eric Monty Morris, Caribbean Music Farm, Marcia Ball and Roger George. You can also expect some laughs from Comedian Elva and the usual antics of Jerry D and, the dynamic violin duo, Sons of Mystro will also grace the Main Stage where they will have an opportunity to play with veteran artist, John Holt.

Gospel lovers will also have their fill from singers Audley Rollen and Wingy Danejah, and Hardcore Movement DJs will select jams throughout the day and during the breaks. The Main Stage will present an eclectic mix of veterans and upcoming talent such as Kali, Abia and Dilly Chris, while celebrating both Independence anniversaries of Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, as well as Grace Food’s 90th Anniversary.

Over by the Digicel Stage, the Party Pavilion will be the hot spot for the young and young at heart who love a street party vibe. Deejays Waggy T, Dutty Dex, Richie D, Hardcore Movements and Coppershot will keep patrons jamming from 5 p.m. to the end of the event.

The Festival offers everything from delectable jerk foods by an array of vendors to the popular Publix Jerk Cook Off & Celebrity Quick Fire Competition, culinary demonstrations from various celebrity chefs and Grace’s Chef Mazie in the Grace Village. There will also be fun, games, prizes and lots of cultural presentations to keep adults and kids entertained and informed about Jamaica’s unique culture — food, music, dance and more!

The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival, the largest Caribbean Food Festival in the United States, attracts well over 18,000 patrons annually and has become a premier event for South Floridians whichattracts visitors from the Caribbean and other states.

The 11th Annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival is presented by Publix and Digicel, with additional support from Western Union, The Jamaica Tourist Board, WAVS Radio, Hot 105, Red Stripe, Bigga Sodas and VitaMalt. The event is produced by Jamaican Jerk Festival USA, Inc., in association with Jamaica Awareness, Inc.