The City of Tamarac in South Florida hosted the second staging of its Yard on the Lawn Music Festival on Saturday, June 6, at the Tamarac Sports Complex, drawing thousands of patrons for a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture during Caribbean American Heritage Month.
Founded and curated by Jamaican-born Vice Mayor Marlon Bolton, the festival has quickly established itself as one of South Florida’s premier Caribbean cultural events. After attracting approximately 8,000 patrons in its inaugural year, the event nearly doubled its attendance in 2026, welcoming an estimated 15,000 people to the city.
Last year’s festival featured the acclaimed reggae group Morgan Heritage as headliners. This year, organisers raised the bar with international reggae and dancehall icon Buju Banton taking centre stage.
The musical line-up also included Jamaican reggae artiste Orale Johnson and Haitian singer Rutshelle Guillaume, whose energetic performances helped set the tone for an evening filled with Caribbean rhythms and cultural pride.
A number of notable figures from the music industry and wider Caribbean community were also in attendance, including legendary producer Donovan Germain, reggae icon Marcia Griffiths, music executive Copeland Forbes, dancehall artiste Alley Cat, producer and selector Supa Dups, singer Tosh Alexander and reggae veteran King Banton. Popular media personality Miss Kitty served among the event’s hosts and MCs.
The entertainment segment began shortly after 6:30 p.m., with Guillaume and Johnson delivering crowd-pleasing sets. Between performances, DJs kept the energy high with a mix of reggae, dancehall, soca, afrobeats and kompa that had patrons dancing throughout the venue.
Then came the night’s most anticipated moment.
Buju Banton took the stage to thunderous applause and immediately reminded fans why he remains one of Jamaica’s most celebrated musical exports. Moving effortlessly through a catalogue packed with classics, the Grammy-winning artiste delivered a high-energy performance that spanned decades of hits, from his early dancehall recordings to his internationally recognised reggae anthems.
Born Mark Myrie in Kingston, Buju rose to prominence in the early 1990s with a string of chart-topping hits that earned him the nickname “Mr Mention.” Over the years, he has become one of reggae’s most influential voices, collaborating with some of the genre’s greatest talents, including Beres Hammond, Wayne Wonder, Cocoa Tea and Garnett Silk.
The evening also featured two memorable recognition ceremonies. Miss Kitty was presented with the Key to Broward County by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, an honour that visibly moved the veteran broadcaster and entertainer.
Later, Buju Banton received the Key to the City of Tamarac in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Jamaican music, culture and his enduring impact on audiences around the world.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Bolton described Yard on the Lawn as more than just a music festival.
“Yard on the Lawn is more than entertainment — it is a celebration of Caribbean culture, identity and excellence. Bringing Buju Banton to Tamarac reflects our commitment to creating world-class cultural experiences that unite people from all backgrounds while honouring the rich Caribbean influence that continues to shape our city and South Florida.”
With record attendance, a stellar line-up and a headline performance worthy of the occasion, Yard on the Lawn 2026 further cemented its place as one of South Florida’s premier Caribbean cultural events.
