Ten minutes after the end of the CaribFest, the last major cultural event at NU for CaribNation’s co-founder Jason Brown, a rainbow appeared over Lake Michigan.
“That’s how you end it,” said Brown, a McCormick senior, as the third annual CaribFest came to a close Monday night at the Lakefill. “An eight o’clock rainbow.”
Founded four years ago, CaribNation promotes Caribbean culture through speakers, dances and other cultural events. About 200 people attended Monday’s CaribFest, listening to live reggae music, participating in karaoke and eating food such as Jamaican jerk chicken.
“I’m very proud of where the organization has come from,” Brown said. “This is the best turnout ever.”
The turnout may have improved because CaribFest was better promoted both on- and off-campus, Brown said.
“The new exec board put a lot of hard work into making this happen,” he said.
It didn’t take any promotional techniques to bring Evanston resident Ernie Cadet to CaribFest. As Cadet was walking along the Lakefill Monday afternoon, the sound of a Bob Marley song drew him to the event.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Cadet, 33. “It’s good to see that everyone is getting together and just having a good time, especially with the Caribbean community.”
CaribFest is one of the few chances for the NU community to be exposed to Caribbean culture, said outgoing CaribNation president Heather Foster, an Education junior.
Even the youngest members of the crowd enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate Caribbean culture. Four-year-old Jaleel Belisle, danced onstage with his father, Mervyn, who played keyboards for the Chicago-based reggae band Indika.
“My daddy plays cool music,” said Belisle, whose favorite song is “Rastaman Vibration” by Bob Marley.
Indika played two sets, including covers of reggae artists Bob Marley and Desmond Dekker. Mervyn Belisle said the event was enjoyable, though he said the weather was a little cold.
“It has potential to get bigger,” Belisle said. “It would be a good event to have when it gets warmer.”
The event also featured dance and karaoke competitions, as well as vendors offering Caribbean food and jewelry.
Group co-founder Brown said CaribNation hopes to get vendors and Caribbean community members more involved in future CaribFests.
“That is a true test to me: If I can come back in 20 years and CaribFest is still going strong,” Brown said. “This is not a short-term thing. There’s got to be a 10th anniversary, a 20th anniversary CaribFest.”
