One of the best Soca musicians from Trinidad and Tobago will close the in Coquitlam next week.
Farmer Nappy will be on the Town Centre Park stage at 6 p.m. next Sunday, July 28, to wrap up the two-day celebration that’s hosted by the .
“He’s one of the top Soca artists from Trinidad,” society president and Trinidadian Marilyn Perrin told the Tri-City News on Wednesday, July 17, during an interview at Town Centre Park.
Nappy’s upbeat performance and tunes will cap off the free festivities that typically see about 60,000 visitors over the weekend who soak in the sounds, taste the fare from Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados and other Caribbean islands, and enjoy the laid-back vibe.
This year, co-chairs Avita Sharma and Dharrol Alves are switching things up by extending the beer tent hour to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 27 and including a Backyard Jam — a showdown featuring the talents of nine DJs from 6:30 to 10 p.m. in the tent:
- DJ Denise
- DJ Hoppa
- DJ I:Cube
- DJ Real West
- DJ Rexx
- Grindhouse Sound
- Redemption Sound
- DJ Kenyo
- Selecta Abel
Still, there’ll be other favourite attractions such as a marketplace, kids zone, cultural centre and colourful parades: The main procession is on July 27 at 11 a.m. while, on Sunday, July 28 at 1 p.m., children can dress up in carnival costumes for their display.
Tropical food, drinks
As for Caribbean nosh, the two parking lots in Lot D will be filled with 20 food trucks serving, among other things, roti (a round flatbread); doubles (curried chickpeas on two fried flatbreads); jerk chicken; and pholourie (fried, spiced split pea and flour dough balls).
As well, the society will have a goodies booth to sell authentic Trinidadian treats such as cassava pone (yuca cake); rum cake; kurma (cookie); currant balls; and sweet bread.
And for beverages, there will be non-alcoholic drinks plus, for adults, liquids from Coquitlam’s Mariner Brewing, Carib beer, seltzers and spike Jamaican ginger beer. A water station will also be available.
Perrin said she’s grateful to the City of Coquitlam for helping with festival costs, which continue to rise post–pandemic.
To offset bills, the society plans to seek more corporate sponsorship and create more relationships with businesses.
Fees for vendors did not go up this year “because we know that their costs have increased, too. Everything is going up.”
Heid Hughes, Coquitlam's manager of tourism and visitor economy, told the Tri-City News today, July 18, that the civic park will be "buzzing with energy" next weekend.
"With perfect summer weather setting the scene, the festival is free to attend, and promises a vibrant carnival parade, tropical Caribbean music and a plethora of flavourful food options. This multicultural and diverse festival truly puts Coquitlam centre stage as destination for people from across the region to visit."
Hughes said the spin-offs for City Centre eateries and retail locations, including Coquitlam Centre, will be significant as festival attendees will be out and about.
Volunteers sought
Volunteers are needed for four- or eight-hour shifts each day; in return, the society supplies a festival T-shirt and a snack and/or meal. For those in high school, a letter can be obtained for graduation credit.
To apply, you can visit the .
Island party. 馃彎锔忦煒�
Festival details
Entry to the festival is free; however, dogs must be on leash. There is also no smoking allowed in the park and no outside alcohol is allowed. Bags will be subject to search by security on site.
Get there
Park your two wheels with the bike valet or hop on SkyTrain to the Lafarge Lake–Douglas station at Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way).
Entertainment lineup
Saturday, July 27
- 10 a.m. = DJ BJ John Edwards
- 11 a.m. = Multi-cultural parade
- Noon Opening ceremony
- 1 p.m. = Sweet Pan
- 1:45 p.m. = Boom Daddy
- 3 p.m. = X-Kalibre
- 4:15 p.m. = Mostly Marley
- 5:30 p.m. = Julio Avila Cuban Band
- 7 p.m. = Moses Revolution
Sunday, July 28
- 11 a.m. = Carl Sound Vibes
- 11:30 a.m. = JESSAll & Roots reggae band
- 12:45 p.m. = Tropical Breeze
- 1:45 p.m. = Children’s parade (on stage)
- 2:15 p.m. = Maffie Alongside De Volcano
- 3:15 p.m. = 麻豆传媒映画Soca Xperience
- 3:30 p.m. = King Fish
- 3:40 p.m. = Phase III Steelband
- 5 p.m. = Moses Revolution
- 6 p.m. = Farmer Nappy
