Celebrating Jamaica

The main road in Black River

"To the left to the left" (*sung in the style of Beyoncé), a police officer steps into the street and redirects our taxi to a parking area to the left of its normal route down the main road of Black River, St. Elizabeth.  The road is blocked off and is swarming with people all decked out in green, black, and yellow.  These people are all here showing off their Jamaican pride to celebrate Black River Day in none other than downtown Black River, the capital of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.  Fun fact Black River was the first place in Jamaica to have electricity. From the moment I exit the taxi I am engulfed in the scent of jerk chicken and reggae music with the bass all the way up.  Way up stay up! Walking down the road I see men in stilts taking pictures and making balloon animals for all di pickni dem, several stages set up for performances later in the night, various vendors giving out free samples (big up fi di free hotdogs dem), and even a center for all the kids with a trampoline and bouncy house.  Black River was busting at the seams with people out and about having a good time and showing their pride for Jamaica land we love.  This event marked the beginning of the Holiday week with Emancipation Day (Aug 1st) the following day and Independence Day (Aug 6th).  With 53 years of Independence it is truly spectacular to witness how far Jamaica has come in that time!

The Black River Market is the large building in the back

Jen and I celebrating Black River Day!