In approximately one week, Six Flags — America’s favorite theme park company — will be flooded with throngs of patrons in search of a fun-filled all-inclusive ‘daycation,’ complete with the sights, tastes, and live sounds of the islands. With the crème de la crème of Caribbean entertainers touching down in Jackson, New Jersey’s Six Flags Great Adventure on Saturday, July 11th, Six Flags and Caribbean arts- and education-based non-profit CCB International aim to promote Caribbean cultural traditions through entertainment, while using proceeds to further the pursuit of higher education in Caribbean and African-American communities.
 
Featuring Trinidad & Tobago’s 2009 Carnival quadruple-crown champion Fayann Lyons, Billboard-topping artist Kevin Lyttle, International Soca sensation Rupee, The ‘Fire Man’ Bunji Garlin, Soca veteran Iwer George, Burning Flames, Trini Jacobs, and Super Jigga TC, the highly anticipated 2nd annual Caribbean Summer Series will provide cash-strapped family with day-long entertainment, which includes theme park admission, access to rides, Wild Safari, special events, and the live concert for less than $60.  Money raised from the event will subsidize tuition and provide financial assistance to students of Caribbean and African-American Heritage going off to college this fall.
 
“One of our primary goals is to ensure that Caribbean-American students have access to institutions of higher learning,” states CCB Director of Operations, Hector Carter. “It is critical, particularly in these times, that students of Caribbean descent have the same opportunities and access to higher education as other students. As the global economic tide changes, we need to be sure that our young people can compete with young people around the world.”
 
Over the past eight years, CCB has awarded a total of 62 scholarships to deserving students, all of whom have gone on to pursue higher education.
 
Last year’s Six Flags’ Summer Concert Series attracted over 8,000 patrons with the “King of Soca” Machel Montano. With this year’s stunning line-up, promoters are gearing up for another super crowded, super successful event.
 
“This year, with the current economic slump, we are looking to give patrons more bang for their buck; more music, more live entertainment-we are packaging the event as a ‘daycation’-a one day trip to the islands for those who usually go, but this year just don’t have the means,” states Carter. “This year, local entertainment is more important to American families than ever before, so we are doing our part to provide quality entertainment for less money.”
 
In addition to supporting academic success among Caribbean-American students, CCB also aims to promote Caribbean cultural traditions, particularly arts and entertainment, to new audiences. The exuberant and energetic spirit of Caribbean carnival is the theme for this year’s showcase, especially with the inclusion of Trinidad’s 2009 Carnival champion.
 
“I am really excited to be part of the Six Flags Great Adventure Caribbean Summer series. Patrons will really be in for a ‘great adventure,” states 2009 Trinidad and Tobago four-time crown winner Fayann Lyons. “I am warning everyone from now, wear comfortable shoes and clothing because we are going to ‘mash it up’ carnival style.”
 
“I will be there representing Caribbean music and culture to the fullest–in rare form,” states Soca star Bunji Garlin “After Six Flags it will take another ice age to cool this one down,” he jokes. “We are coming lyrical, no gimical, and you know we stay orginal,” he says, ending with his trademark call “Fiyaahh!”