Jerk Fest

[Nick]

This settles it. I'm booking for late November.

[Wayne/FOJ]

Hi all:

A little Jerk Fest "history".....

The first Jerk Fest (that I know of) was in October 2002. It was originally created as one of the events that Friends of Jamaica USA held during the first FOJ Bashment. The two FOJ Bashments (October 2002 and October 2003) were two week long events intended to attract FOJ members, and others, to Negril during the slow season, and to spread around the tourist dollars to varying venues, hotels and restaurants. There were events and dinners everyday for the two weeks, one of which was the Jerk Fest at Three Dives. Lloydie and Paula did a great job getting it pulled together and there were jerk vendors from as far away as Boston Bay (Portland). If I remember correctly, one of the vendors from Portland, cooking with the open pit method - with pimento wood and a tin cover - won the award for best jerk.

I am glad to hear that Three Dives has continued the Jerk Fest, even though the time of year and approach may now be different.

Wayne

[Biggs of the week]

Thanks Wayne for jogging my memory (2002).I remember eating my way through that I think I tried every vendor there.

[Melody]

I'm going to be there the last week of Nov too! I'd read about jerk fest but didn't realize when it was. Is the music that loud even when it opens around noon? If so, that may keep me away.

[poolguywindsor]

Some memories of last Jerkfest!

[negrilbay]

Went last November a good time, would definity go

[CC(US)]

We've always wanted to attend this festival. We are big into southern BBQ and its part of our living. We have always found jerk style interesting and we appreciate the conversations and tips from local cooks.

I will admit we are probably not ones for really loud music, but we knew when we booked the trip it would be loud and we are also staying fairly close by 3Dives which we always have done on past trips. Just like that area and the hotels there.

At the same time we come prepared. We realize we might hear the noise from our hotel room so we bring a small white noise machine that is great for that kind of situation. Siesta time...no problem mon.

I've months to figure it all out, but I can almost taste the Jerk!

PS: Can anyone tell me if the price of admission includes being able to eat samples from vendors or is that a separate individual price?

[SimandRay]

I have been wanting to go to this festival..thank god I change the wedding date will be there in 2013...yay happy dance..

[Ohio_Buckeye_1]

PS: Can anyone tell me if the price of admission includes being able to eat samples from vendors or is that a separate individual price?

The $500J adult / $100J children admission price is just that - just gets you in. (I looked thru my pics from 2010 trip and found sign with admission price listed.
The food, I don't remember exactly, but was reasonable - like $500-700J for a quarter chicken or pork plate with rice&peas, salad, and callaloo - less for just meat.

I guess the sound level is all in the eye (or ear in this case) of the beholder - I didn't think was that loud unless you were in front of the speakers.
You can carry on a normal conversation everywhere else on the property.

Here's a few pics from 2010.

[negrilaholic]

I went to the jerkfest last year and really enjoyed it..got there early, ate early, then went and spent most of the day swimming at Xtabi, then came back and checked out the scene and there was lots of people there and they had some bonfires and children's games early in the evening and then there was some good music, and I had a good time..would have stayed longer, but for some reason when I went around 10pm to use the bathroom, it was locked, and there was hundreds of people there and that was the only flushing toilet on the premises! There were a line because a few more shall we say 'adventurous' ladies went to the side of the bathroom where they had a small stall attached to it with a urinal only, but the days when I could hold my balance over one of those without touching are long gone, so I left, lol! I would hope that maybe next time they have it they would reconsider closing down the only flushing toilet on the premises and leave it open for people who need to use it, but other than that, I think it was a great event. Here are some pics:

early in the day:


some of the kids line up for one of the contests they had:






will post a few more pics too in another post, can only do four at a time.