About

Indeed, there is no place like home, especially when the emotional pull of home is strong and deeply rooted in the Caribbean. JerkFest Toronto was born out of nostalgia, to reminisce, connect and create new memories of the islands in a new country outside of those familiar tropical vibes. Founded by Island Promotions Inc. in 2002, North America's longest-running jerk food and music festival was born in Brampton, Ontario in Chinguacousy Park before an audience of 400 - the headliner: “Mr. Big Belly-Man” Admiral Bailey. Seven years later, Caribbean Promotions Arts and Culture Inc., a non-profit organization, took over the festival which had grown in popularity and size. It moved to its current location, Centennial Park in Etobicoke, Ontario where it remains the largest jerk festival outside of Jamaica.

Caribbean Promotions Arts and Culture Inc. is committed to social responsibility and over the past two decades has partnered with numerous organizations to uplift the community. JerkFest Toronto has hosted workshops, awarded more than $10 000 in scholarships and bursaries, supported educational institutions and delivered over $15 000 of non-perishable items to food banks across the Greater Toronto Area. Through its international philanthropy, JerkFest Toronto has donated more than $5000 in cash and products to educational institutions overseas. 

Today, JerkFest is one of Ontario's most prominent and hottest summer festivals with a three-day international event celebrating jerk cuisine, music and family entertainment.  Since 2011, this tourist attraction has been consistently voted one of Ontario’s top 100 festivals. Blog TO voted JerkFest, one of Toronto's top 50 Must-Attend Summer Events in 2018 and again in 2019 - the last pre-pandemic in-person event which had more than 68,000 patrons. JerkFest Toronto pivoted in 2020 due to COVID-19 and held its inaugural two-night virtual festival which attracted more than 75,000 views globally.