If it weren't for the long sleeves and windbreakers, visitors to the 37000 block of Second Avenue might have thought they were on a tropical island.
The 11th annual Caribbean Summer Jam Festival got underway on Sunday (Aug. 19) with all the jumping, bumping and bending one would expect from this festive tradition.
Visitors did not seem to mind the cloudy weather and smiles were all around as music filled the air.
"Die-hards will always come out and enjoy," said event organizer Pat Alexander.
"You know the old saying 'If you build it they will come'? Well, its true."
Mouth-watering food and mind-bending flexibility were the attractions of this event, put on by Trinidad native Alexander with help from family and friends.
New this year was the sizzling spectacular courtesy of limbo dancer Clifford Palmer, a.k.a. King Fish, who squeezed himself under a flaming limbo bar.
Afterwards King Fish gave pointers and demonstrations to all first time limbo dancers - without the fire. One of the benders who made it to the finals in his age groups was four-year-old Wyatt Cardiff of Squamish."I thought I wasn't going to make it but I did," said Wyatt with a juice-stained grin.
Wyatt, whose older brother Darwin won the hula-hoop contest, said he enjoyed the music, dancing and delicious food. As the cool day turned into a cooler evening, steel drums from Phase III and beats from DJ Carl had the crowd going hot on the dance floor.
Even people waiting in line were unable to escape the groove as they bobbed their heads and tapped their feet while waiting for a tasty treat.
"Music, food and limbo, it's all good," said Frank Schroeder.
Lines were steady for the pouri and patties but the most anxious stomachs were those, like Schroeder, waiting for the fish cakes. The deep-fried delicacies provided cheesy relief for those who had just consumed a jerk-chicken patty smothered in hot pepper sauce.
Asked whether he enjoyed the West Indies food, Schroeder replied with an emphatic "yah mahn."
As evening approached the wind whipped, but as the beats picked up no one seemed to notice. Even the threat of rain could not dampen the spirits of those dancing.
Alexander said he never knows what to expect when he puts the event on, but he's sure people will have fun no matter. Another sure thing is the endurance of the Caribbean Jam tradition.
"Come and enjoy yourselves next year," said Alexander.
