Huge numbers turn out for Caribbean-themed party
An annual two-day festival in Maple Ridge started off with larger-than-usual attendance on Saturday.
Reggae star Mista Majah P, one of Jamaica’s premier reggae artists, was entertaining the crowd, including this little guy, at the 12th annual Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival today.
Photograph by: Sylver McLaren , TIMES
Thousands of people turned out to hear the beats, bake in the sun, taste the food, and enjoy the culture at the 12th annual Caribbean Festival in Maple Ridge on Saturday.
“It’s a perfect start to the summer,” said festival organizer Deddy Geese. “It’s running like a well-oiled machine.”
Geese commented that he was surprised by the attendance numbers by midday on Saturday.
“I’m so surprised that by 2 p.m. it was absolutely packed,” he explained.
Ineke Beokhorst, the executive director of the Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association, said she was meeting people from all over B.C. who have come to Maple Ridge for the festival.
“I spoke to people from Kelowna, Bellingham, Sunshine Coast, people from everywhere,” said Beokhorst.
“Saturday used to be our slow day, and we are so impressed with the turnout today,” she said.
