Bronx, NY August 24, 2009 – The Jamaica College Old Boys Association of New York, Inc. is hosting the first annual Patty Festival of America August 29, 2009 at the Evander Childs High School Soccer Stadium in the Bronx. Start time is 12 noon and the event ends at 9pm.

There will be Patty Eating and Patty Tasting contests among other activities designed to celebrate this Jamaican delicacy. The focal point of the Festival will be the crowning of the 2009 Patty Eating & Patty Connoisseur Champions at the conclusion of the event. The champions will reign for one year until the 2010 edition of the Festival where the crowns will again be contested.

The Festival will also feature a soccer tournament of Under & Over 40 teams from JC, Excelsior and Camperdown. Other schools invited include St Andrews, Ardenne and KC.

As part of this celebration of Jamaican food culture, a full family day program is planned with activities for kids including Tug-o-War, Crocus Bag races, Egg & Spoon races, face painting and a U13 Soccer Competition. Ladies will participate in their own Soccer Competition and the newly crowned Miss Jamaica USA will make an appearance.

According to Dr Dwight Williams, President of the JCOBA, “The mission of the Festival is to promote and raise the public profile of the Jamaican patty as a staple of American cuisine as well as highlight the major patty producers responsible for the outstanding success of this Jamaica national treasure in the USA”

He further stated “This event provides a platform to annually salute the entrepreneurs who have fostered our largest business enterprises and is our tribute to them on behalf of a grateful community”

JCOBA expects the event to grow as the popularity of Jamaican culture spreads. The organizers anticipate the participation of Jamaica based patty producers as early as 2010.

Sponsors of the event include Tower Isle Frozen Foods, Golden Krust Bakery, Royal Caribbean Bakery, Bruce’s Patties, Grace Tropical Rhythms, Brammer’s Subway, Caribbean Lifestyle TV and Winners Circle Radio.

About JCOBA: The Jamaica College Old Boys Assn of New York is a registered charity with IRS tax-exempt status. Founded in 1990, the JCOBA is the official Tri State representative of Jamaica College, one of the oldest and most distinguished secondary schools in the Western Hemisphere.

Contact JCOBA Corporate Office: Tel – +1 718.671.2826