The Sweetest Holiday Celebration of the Year! The Rum Cake and Caribbean Black Cake Festival
More than 700 guests of all ages — representing 28 Caribbean nations and the United States — converged at the Volunteer Park Community Center in the City of Plantation on Sunday, November 16th for the Rum Cake and Caribbean Black Cake Festival. The celebration delivered a vibrant, multidimensional showcase of Caribbean holiday culture, filled with flavor, music, heritage, and community spirit.
The festival was presented by Island SPACE Caribbean Museum and Caribbean Professionals Network, and was proudly supported by the Broward County Cultural Division, the City of Plantation, the Community Reinvestment Alliance of Florida, Clover and Fiserv, and Annilu Fruit Cake Mix.
A Sweet Success in the Hall of Bakers
The festival’s biggest highlight was the bustling Hall of Bakers, where guests sampled cakes from across the region, including Antigua & Barbuda, St. Lucia, Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guyana, Barbados, Grenada, Belize and the Bahamas.
The demand was overwhelming — many bakers sold out completely, reflecting both the exceptional quality of their creations and the community’s strong support for local small businesses.
In addition to rum and black cakes, guests enjoyed tastings of Haitian kremas and Jamaican sorrel, along with welcoming sips of Grace juice drinks upon entry.
Holiday Shopping & Rum Room Exclusives
Across the venue, attendees browsed a lively artisan marketplace, discovering authentic Caribbean-made wares from Irie socks and culturally inspired clothing to games, accessories, and giftable items.
One of the most talked-about additions this year was the exclusive Rum Room experience, where guests sampled five premium Caribbean rums paired with flavorful bites. The Rum Room was presented by Coconuts and Cocktails Bar Service and Saint Sauveur Haitian Heritage Rum 1972 by Melky Jean, adding an elevated, intimate tasting experience to the festivities.
Food, Culture & Performances
The indoor–outdoor flow continued on the back patio with a colorful mocktail bar and a line of hot food vendors representing Trinidad (doubles and roti), The Bahamas (a crowd-favorite conch salad), and Antigua (saltfish and lobster tails).
Inside the Hall of Bakers, guests were treated to captivating cultural showcases, including authentic Jamaican Jonkunnu, Bahamian Junkanoo, and Latin Caribbean dance performances, embodying the rich traditions that define holiday celebrations across the islands.
Community Leaders & Cultural Unity
The festival welcomed numerous elected officials, including:
- Broward County Commissioner Alexandra Davis
- Plantation Mayor Nick Sortal
- Plantation Council Members Jennifer Andreu and Louis Reinstein
- Sunrise Commissioner Latoya Clark
- Tamarac Commissioner Morey Wright
- Lauderdale Lakes Commissioner Easton Harrison
The day was guided by host Shatik Stevens of the US Virgin Islands with music by DJ Tony Francis of Trinidad, keeping the energy from start to finish.
Hurricane Relief Efforts
In a strong demonstration of Caribbean solidarity, attendees donated generously to support Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts. The community filled an entire van with essential items, which are being sorted by Jamaican Women of Florida, who will channel items to the Global Empowerment Mission and Food for the Poor, ensuring supplies reach the hardest-hit regions.
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