Nassau County Announces First Annual LI Caribbean-American International Festival

County Executive Edward Mangano & Local Elected Officials to Join on August 16th

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and the Jamaica Cultural Alliance are pleased to announce the launch of the First Annual Long Island Caribbean American International Festival (LICAIF), to be held at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre at Eisenhower Park in Westbury, L.I., on Monday, August 16, 2010, starting at 5 pm.

According to Earl Lyn, Jr., VP of Marketing and Promotions for the Jamaica Cultural Alliance, and Chairman of the LICAIF, the theme for this year’s event, “WE ALL ARE ONE”, is geared towards bringing communities together in unison and celebrating one another’s passions, heritage and cultures.

LICAIF is a free, family-oriented event, which will feature a wide array of music, arts & crafts and displays from various Caribbean islands. The event will also feature renowned Caribbean artists, including the King and Queen of Soca music, The Mighty Sparrow and Calypso Rose, Reggae icon Freddie McGregor and The Angel Band.  There will also be an array of steel pan performers.  In addition, a costume fashion show will highlight the culture and styles of the Caribbean.

LICAIF will also commemorate the lives of several legends, whose contributions to the Caribbean and American communities continue to bear a significant impact on the lives millions of New Yorkers.  Honorees will include the late Earl Lyn, Sr., founder of Nakisaki Restaurants; the late Carlos Lezama, founder of North America’s largest festival, the West Indian American Day Carnival; the late Vincent Chin, founder of VP Records; while also recognizing the birthday of Jamaican national hero, Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, who became a civil rights champion in the United States.

LICAIF will also join the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), Inc. and celebrate their 25th Anniversary. CACCI is a statewide membership organization, which provides business assistance to small and start-up business owners, in areas of business planning, financing, certification, procurement, business expansion, and export/import opportunities.

LICAIF is sponsored by Nassau County Parks and Recreation, Canon (USA) MGM Funding, Wee Radio, Caribbean Style TV, MD TV (Jamaica), Culture Jam Radio, Caribbean Vibes Radio, Irie Jam Media, VP Records, New York Liberty Star Newspaper, Jewel Shannon Designs, Khanami Kreations, Padlock Records, Ruff Stuff Studios, Jam Roc Records, House of Hits Records, Digi Waxx Media, and Sam’s Caribbean Market Place.

For more information, contact the Jamaica Cultural Alliance at (646) 750-0045 or New York Liberty Star at (718) 785-9722 ext. 104.