Wrapping Up a Successful 2023 Christmas Grand Market 

What began as a one-day festival in 2013 has now become a multi-venue event - a happy report. In 2019 and 2020, the pandemic created some difficulties, but the event coordinators overcame the adversities by reuniting with their audience. While wrapping up a booming 2023 Christmas Grand Market, they received a constant rise in attendance, confirming their efforts were overwhelmingly successful. 

2023 Christmas Grand MarketChallenges Faced 

As with all event planning, COVID posed challenges; now, their audience numbers are back up. This year, they faced weather challenges during their event but didn’t let anything get them down. 

“Despite weather challenges and advisory concerns on both Sundays in the Bronx and Brooklyn, our audience defied the odds, turning out in impressive numbers,” Andrew Clarke stated. “This steadfast support speaks volumes about the Braata’s mass appeal and the genuine love our audience has for the immersive experience we provide, especially as a festive kick-off to the Christmas season." 

Jamaican-born Andrew Clark is proud to be the founder/artistic director for Braata Folk Singers and Braata Productions. 

Performers at Grand Market 

Clarke informs The Braata Productions’ 2023 Christmas Grand Market performed on Saturday, Dec. 9, at Merrick Academy Charter School, 136-25 218th Street, Springfield Gardens, Queens; on Sunday, Dec. 10, at Harry S Truman High School, 750 Baychester Avenue, Bronx; and on Sunday, Dec. 17, at Alliance Tabernacle, formerly Clarendon Road Church, 3304 Clarendon Road, Brooklyn. 

“Our performances resonated exceptionally well, with the audiences in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx enthusiastically on their feet, dancing and singing along to many of the acts,” he raved. “The shows concluded with thunderous applause, leaving patrons raving about the exceptional talent on display.” 

Additionally, Clark noted the diverse lineup of participants added to the “vibrancy of the event,” including emcee Jamaican-born Cultural and Creative Industries entrepreneur Dahlia Harris; Meecah (Hamilton) from The Bahamas; Abena from St; Kitts & Nevis; The Braata Folk Singers; and Clarke himself (The Public’s The Harder They Come). 

Wonderful Extras for the 2023 Christmas Market 

Of course, no event would run successfully without thanking the extras that made the market a step above! The Jamaica Nurses Group Of New York and the outstanding performers provided guests with much-needed health screenings. Jamaican Alumnae Associates, along with 15 vendors at each of the venues, offered an array of options. Furthermore, sellers and crafters displayed homemade soap, delightful pastries, a variety of specialty foods, handmade gifts, and so much more. 

Here's to 2024! 

CITED: www.caribbeanlife.com, www.thecaribbeanmarket.com, www.islandroutes.net