8th annual SC Reggae Jerk & Wine Festival supports nonprofit to end child sexual abuse | Food

The South Carolina Reggae Jerk & Wine Festival is back for its eighth rendition with jerk chicken, a pepper eating contest, live reggae music and wine. 

The festival celebrating the connection between Jamaican and Charleston culture and history with an all-day party also has another mission in mind: to end child sexual abuse. 

Festival organizer Lorna Shelton Beck, who is originally from Jamaica, works with a nonprofit called the Healthy Lifestyle Network. The organization offers a program in Port Antonio, Jamaica, that works with children to plant a garden and teach healthy food choices. It also provides reading coaches, soccer team resources and a Saturday school. 

The organization’s ultimate mission is to bring awareness to and prevent childhood sexual abuse. There is an annual conference that provides Darkness to Light training to youth in the area and guidance counseling throughout the year that scopes for signs of abuse and offers help. 

Beck said 90 percent of the profits from the festival will go to the nonprofit. 

“The pandemic has caused an increase in predators, and it’s extremely important that we can do what we can right now to help the program in Jamaica,” she said. 

Purchasing a ticket to the Charleston festival, which takes place from noon to 7 p.m. Aug. 29 at Brittlebank Park, will make a difference far beyond the Lowcountry, Beck said. 

In addition to entertainment from Charleston reggae band The Dubplates, the festival will feature an appearance from Hon Oliver Mair, the Consul General of Jamaica to Miami, representing the 13 Southeastern Diaspora States. It will be Mair’s first visit to Charleston. 

“Chef Ty” from Jamaica will be cooking up his seasoned jerk chicken, while Atlanta radio personality Wayne Hall will DJ. Jamaican Ludo and dominoes will be set up for playing, and arts and crafts vendors will be on-site along with wine and beer vendors and local Jamaican restaurants. 

Scotch Bonnet Tickets, the festival’s VIP option, are $40 per person and include a complimentary jerk sample and commemorative glass with wine. General admission tickets are $25, and festivalgoers will have to purchase drinks and food separately.  

Beck founded the festival in 2014 to showcase Charleston’s place in the African Diaspora.  

For more information, go to screggaejerkfestival.com or purchase tickets at scjerkfestival.eventbrite.com.

Reach Kalyn Oyer at 843-371-4469. Follow her on Twitter @sound_wavves.