Twin Cities Caribbean festival this weekend doubles as nonprofit fundraiser
A Twin Cities-based nonprofit that raises money for hurricane relief is holding its annual festival this Friday and Saturday. For nearly two decades, Carifest has held annual fundraisers and outdoor festivals featuring the food and music of various Caribbean island nations.
Carifest spokesman James Byron said the group also raises money to help those nations recover from natural disasters.
"We have created a hurricane disaster relief fund," he said. "And Carifest helps support that. We raise funds. We try to send it down to the islands — either money or equipment — that would assist the people in that time of need."
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Byron said this year his group has partnered with organizers of the north Minneapolis arts crawl, FLOW — which is also happening this weekend. He said he hopes the partnership will encourage more people to participate in Carifest.
"With the participation and the joining of forces with FLOW, that will kind of help us get more into the north side community, and bring them in with us," he said.
This year's festival will be held along the Mississippi River flats in north Minneapolis. The celebration will also include a masquerade parade, complete with colorfully costumed marchers, along West Broadway Avenue.
"We have created a hurricane disaster relief fund. And Carifest helps support that. We raise funds. We try to send it down to the islands - either money or equipment - that would assist the people in that time of need."