Cariwest Festival 2013, Edmonton, AB - gorgeous costumes, music, food and Caribbean flair at this summer festival!

Posted by I know, I've been backlogged a bit, and though this festival was back in the broiling hot days of summer, we can think back to them with longing as the days get cooler... and look forward to attending next summer's Cariwest Festival!Its a great way to spend what turned out to be a scorcher of a day.. with plenty of folks cooling off in the City Hall fountain.



This year, I was a bit late, so missed the parade of dancers, floats and folks decked out in incrediblely colourful and feathery costumes.  But young and old, there were lots of festival goers dressed up for the occasion!

This year there was a few new food booths, along with a huge stage for performers and a few tents where you could purchase Caribbean themed swag.  I followed these ladies to the food!

Just like last year, the street next to the Art Gallery was closed off to cars and opened up to a whole street of food vendors woot!  Head early as when we arrived around lunch time, line for tasty food vendors were 1-2hours long.

Was eyeing up their Jamacian Patties while in line...

We finally got to the front of the line at Open 'N Closed for some super moist chicken skewers we were tantalized with as they cooked while we waited in line.

The chicken skewers were sooo moist, tender and packed a spicy kick nomnomnom! New fav food vendor!  Their stewed chicken had nice sweet tomato tones, though most of us enjoyed the chicken skewers more.  We cooled off with some homemade ginger beer and hoped Open 'N Close will be back next year.. open!

Next we waited at Paradise Grill's line up... for the next. two. hours. Oi. Lots of ginger beer and water was consumed.  We also sent our friends to check out what other goodies other vendors had on offer since the line-ups were so ridiculous.  Curry in a Hurry had a small pop-up tent, but they only were serving goat curry, and their infamous butter chicken curry was only being served up as a poutine... next time!

Hooray! Almost there!

Finally, we get to dig into Paradise Grill's Jerk chicken.  Maybe it was the crowds, or the insanely hot sun blazing down, but this year, though super flavorful and well jerked, the chicken was on the dry side.

Then we went to walk off the food, peek at the vedors, soaked in (too much) sun and went off to find cool drinks to cool off! See ya next year!

Paradise Grill
Address varies
Phone (587) 990-4660
Hours varies