About Festivals for Charity, Inc.

Knoxville are you ready? We are bringing the Island vibe to you!
It was in 2014 that I had a visionary idea to host a Caribbean Jerk Festival, sharing a passion for food, fellowship and fun, something kindled a fire. A fire that spanned far beyond myself, into a burning inferno that would not be squelched. At the time I was residing in a small Northern California town raising my young grandson. I had dated a Jamaican man who had so generously shared his beautiful island traditions with us; from the fiery, yet healing foods, to the rhythmic, soulful reggae beats. I embraced this rich culture, giving birth to the idea of opening an eatery and hosting a Jerk Festival. Once the seed was planted in my psyche I set out on a mission to make it happen. Searching the town, all buildings with potential to become a small eatery were considered. They would be especially attractive if attached to a parking area that could serve as a location for a small festival. However, I soon realized that due to real estate prices, all were beyond my reach. Progress was suspended indefinitely. But the idea of the Jerk Festival was never far from my mind.

I left California in 2017, moving to Michigan and again to Knoxville, Tennessee in 2018. And the fire burned on….no matter where I went or what I was going through, if I spotted an empty building with a parking lot, there was always that possibility for a Jerk Festival location! One day I visited a winery in Delano, TN and realized the winery was also an events venue. Boom-it hit me! It was time to have that Jerk Festival! The Jerk Festival had grown by this time from a small dream to a large dream, needing a larger venue to hold it and this winery was just the place! However, the winery wanted to run the festival so that idea was no longer attractive to me. Persevering, I called the city of Knoxville, inquiring about other venues. The World’s Fair Park was secured for my Jerk Festival! A vision set in motion seven years earlier; imagined, planted, nurtured and cared for sprouted and is growing! “I really had no idea how to throw a Jerk Festival. It has become my mission to bring the joy of good food, music, fun and fellowship to as many cities that will have us! It has remained in my heart to create a unique party for the entire family. Let’s rise to rejoice in love and light! Look for a Festival coming to a city near you!!

Never lose faith, because it truly is the substance of things hoped for and furthermore it is evidence of things not seen…Hebrew 11:1