Erphaan Alves Credit: Photo via erphaanalvesmusic/Facebook

The 12th annual Caribbean Heritage Festival is a family-friendly “vibrant celebration” and feast of Caribbean flavors complete with live music (including soca star Erphaan Alves, pictured), dancing, food vendors and “warm community vibes”.

It’s a great chance to get in touch with your own roots (or truly appreciate someone else’s.) Enjoy a variety of Puerto Rican, Dominican and Jamaican food while enjoying entertainment from local artists like Mr. Unknown, Aramis y Sol, Tropi Groove, Jahfari and Mello Hype.

This cultural festival is organized by Cando Inc. each year, a Tampa-based nonprofit that aims to “promote cultural awareness, development and advancement of the Caribbean American Community.”

While adults have to pay a $20 admission fee for the Caribbean Heritage Festival happening Saturday, June 10 at Tampa’s University Park , kids can attend this weekend’s cultural festival for free. Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.

This article appears in Jun 1-7, 2023.