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As South Florida gears up for the 12th annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival, scheduled for Markham Park in Sunrise on November 10, 2013, its Board of Directors announced a week of activities to warm up longtime patrons and entice attendees from other U.S. cities and the all over the Caribbean.

The Festival, which attracts some 17,000 patrons each year, packs everything from cultural performances and culinary competitions to entertainment and family oriented activities into one phenomenal day centered on the world famous Jamaican jerk cuisine.

But with patrons and Jerk Fest lovers clamoring for more, the Board of Directors decided that one jerk day is just not enough. So to spice up this year’s festival, they have rolled out a week of activities beginning with the Hot Trot 5K Run/Walk at Markham Park on Sunday, November 3, 2013. Health nuts and even couch potatoes will converge at the park, led by a Jamaican Olympic Champion for this exciting event. It will also feature a Health & Wellness fair and will benefit Team Jamaica Bickle Inc., a non-profit organization that supports Caribbean athletes at the annual Penn Relays in Philadelphia.

Sharpen your knives and get your seasonings ready for the Jerk Cooking Class set for Tuesday November 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Culinary experts from Publix Apron’s Cooking School will give hands-on instructions and offer helpful tips on how to cook authentic Jamaican jerk with products from Grace Foods. When you leave, you’ll be inspired to spice up all your special occasions.

The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival will bring A Taste of Jamaica to the University of Miami campus on Wednesday, November 6 from 12 noon to 2 p.m.Students and faculty members will sample delectable jerk foods and Grace products and have a chance to win tickets to the festival.

Prepare for a night peppered with jerk foods and sizzling entertainment on Friday, November 8, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. at the Jerk Welcome Party. This event is a reception for visitors who are making the trek from other U.S. cities and the Caribbean just to be a part of this exciting festival. FAME FM DJs will bring the Jamaican party vibe and there might be a few celebrities on hand hobnobbing with the crowd and signing autographs.

Rum, Wine and Jerk – A Taste of the Caribbean, the final precursor to the festival, will get underway on Saturday November 9 at Markham Park in Sunrise. The all-inclusive event will showcase the world’s premier Rum and Wine producers; The Caribbean’s top chefs and culinary personalities, along with several international celebrity chefs. World renowned Jamaican Jazz pianist Monty Alexander and other comparable performers will provide an evening of elegance with an upscale appeal that’s sure to satisfy even the most discerning tastes.

The week of activities will culminate with the main event, the 12th Annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival. This day will be jam-packed with food, family, friends and entertainment and activities patrons have grown to know and love. Over thirty food vendors will offer a variety of Jerk fare to satisfy hungry patrons. The Publix Jerk Cook-off will no doubt be a hit as will the Grace Village. The event will include the popular Western Union Cultural Stage, Fuzion Sound Stage, sponsored by Dr. Charlie Ware’s Healing Blends, Corporate Circle, and the Party Pavilion. As usual, the festival will come to an explosive close with sizzling entertainment on Main Stage.

The 12th Annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival is presented in association with Publix and Digicel, with additional support to date from Western Union, The Jamaica Tourist Board, Dr. Charlie Ware’s Herbal Blends, WAVS Radio, Hot 105, and VitaMalt. The event is produced by Jamaican Jerk Festival USA, Inc., in association with Jamaica Awareness, Inc.