Downtown St. John’s takes on a Jamaican flavor this coming weekend as two islands in the Atlantic celebrate cuisine and culture.

The St. John’s Jerk Fest, a new event to be held on George Street on Saturday, will blend Jamaican music and dance with Newfoundland and Labrador traditions.

Didan Wedderburn, co-founder of the Jamaica Canadian Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, says they’ll be showcasing just how multicultural the capital city has become.

There will be food, live music, dance and artisan vendors on George Street from noon-7pm.

She says the two islands have historical connections.

“Jamaica is known as the Jam-rock and Newfoundland is nicknamed the Rock. Newfoundlanders still use Jamaican rum for a screech-in, and Jamaicans still use cod although we don’t get it from Newfoundland anymore so we use salt cod,” said Wetterburn.

She estimates that there are 300 Jamaicans in the province