Smokey Oval Park at 125th Street in South Richmond Hill was a scene filled with merriment and the smell of Caribbean cuisine on Aug. 16, thanks to the Angels Caribbean Entertainment Group LLC, which hosted its 9th Annual Queens International Food and Music Festival to share summer fun with residents, many wearing the colors of their national flag.
The event was a celebration of history, heritage, and legacy, but it was also a time of camaraderie and community togetherness with small business owners for a day of giving back in the multi-national enclave.
The perimeter of the park was lined with scores of kiosks offering free gifts, including groceries, sweet treats, and freshly cooked Island cuisine, compliments of entrepreneurs who remain committed to the ACB Group day of giving.
From Dave’s West Indian Imports to Kaieteur Restaurant, Regent Street Bar and Lounge, Hibiscus Restaurant, Style Cuisine Roti Shop, Bakewell Restaurant, Yummy Dips, Legend Cookhouse, and MandyKcreations, patrons queued up to feast on delicious offerings across the grounds, as compelling music blared across the park.
Additionally, merchants included Singh’s Sporting Goods, resource organizations, Emblem Health, Leonora Cultural Society, Cottage Home Care, Shanie Baran Licensed Real Estate Broker, Clasique Cutz Barbershop, Pinnacle Signature Realty LLC, Nationwide Homes LLC, and Sunita Travel Agency.
One of the highlights of the festival was an exciting Curried Duck competition that gave chefs an opportunity to showcase their skills. The winner of the best tasting recipe, as well as showmanship, won the coveted trophy.
The packed day of entertainment included an exceptional cultural explosion, celebrating the exotic sounds of Indo-Caribbean music, Bollywood fusion, and Soca rhythm, featuring ACB lead vocalist Dexter M., who kept the crowd moving to the beat.
Other performers included Amit R, Randy Recklez, International Soca artist Mahendra Ramkellawan, and Brian Mohan.
However, it was the Queen of Bollywood, the incomparable Geeta Bishram, who set the crowd on fire with Indian melodies with her vivacious performance. The lady with the golden, melodious voice entertained the crowd for more than 30 minutes.
Decked out in a flowing blue gown, Geeta danced as she sang hit after hit, while keeping the colorfully dressed audience on their feet. She commanded the stage with a “rain song” during the drizzly weather, and kept on singing as fans celebrated on the turf.
Her performance was spectacular.
The Shelly Ramnanan Cultural Group, in turn, gyrated to a mix of soca, calypso, and Bollywood music. The energetic movement captivated the audience of spectators who, no doubt, enjoyed themselves.
And not to be left out, the little ones waited patiently for Pandora, the face painter, whose magical hands decorated many faces with national flags.
Thanking sponsors, Vinod Bisram, founder of the Angels Caribbean Band, an entity of the ACB Group of Companies, applauded the outpouring of support the event received from the community.
He said the festival was a total success, and captured the essences of community spirit.
“This is the satisfaction I get when I see so many people come out, to have a good time, and support the festival,” said Bisram. “This is the only event where nothing is for sale. Every sponsor is donating everything that is here today.”
Bisram added: “This is why we plan this event year after year. This community supports Angels Caribbean Entertainment at every event that we put on,” he said, also thanking the community for their commitment to the day of enjoyment.
Shanie Barna, owner of SRNY Real Estate, expressed how pleased she was to join the event, and the neighborhood, noting, “I am here because it’s important to give back to the community.”
MandyKCreations was also excited to be supporting the event, while giving back to customers who continue to support her business.
DJ Roshan, host of Abee Chunes Radio, praised Angels Caribbean Entertainment for its consistent support of the community, noting that he has been affiliated with the band for over 20 years, and lauded them for embracing the community through donations and entertainment.
“Abee Chunes Radio is celebrating its seventh year, and we have been partnering with International musician Terry Gajraj supporting back-to-school and wheelchairs giveaways in Guyana,” said Roshan, who is predicting that the Queens festival will continue to be a fantastic mainstay in the Richmond Hill community.