TROPIC FEST at JUPITER’S RIVERWALK PLAZA
Enjoy a taste of the islands Saturday March 21, 2015 from 1:00 – 6:00pm. This family friendly event at the Plaza Down Under on the Riverwalk will feature something for everyone. Listen to steel drum bands and live tropical music as local vendors sell island themed art, crafts and jewelry.
A “Junkanoo Band” will play from 2:00-3:00pm and lead a parade though the events plaza. Not familiar with Junkanoo? Junkanoo is a lively and colorful street carnival parade. After 500 years of practice, the legends differ as to the roots of Junkanoo in the Caribbean. The most popular belief is that it stemmed from the days of slavery. In the late 18th century many Loyalists, from England, brought their enslaved servants to the Caribbean. At Christmas time, they were given a three day holiday which they celebrated by singing and dancing in the streets in colorful masks and walking on stilts.
The origin of the word Junkanoo is vague. Some say it comes from the French "L'inconnu" (meaning the unknown), in reference to the masks worn by those in the parade or "John Canoe," the name of an African tribal chief who demanded the right to celebrate with his people even after being brought from the West Indies in slavery.
Tropic Fest will feature hair braiding, face painting and balloon art for the young ones and the young at heart. Beer and wine will be available, as well as tasty cuisine from local vendors.
Admission and parking is free. Bring your own chairs or picnic blankets and enjoy the waterfront views and great music under the Indiantown Road Bridge, next to Harbourside. For more information please, please visit the Town of Jupiter website at https://www.jupiter.fl.us/Index.aspx?NID=1074.
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