Eric Donaldson, one of the headliners at Jamaica Day

Eric Donaldson, Ernie Smith, Baby Cham and Serani are among the artistes heading to Canada for the Toronto International Jamaica Day Celebration on Saturday.

Jamaica Dayis Toronto's most colourful, vibrant and lavish celebration of the Caribbean island's hypnotic culture, and this year it will take place at the Wild Water Kingdom at the Outdoor Festival Ground in Toronto.

This year, the event celebrates its 21st anniversary, and as the excitement for the event builds, Jamaicans from various cities in North America are making preparations for the upcoming annual pilgrimage to Toronto.

"My family and I have been driving up to Toronto for the past four years to Jamaica Day," said Irving Stewart, a Brooklyn resident.

"We look forward to this event because we get tohang out withold friends, we enjoy the entertainment and the ride up to Canadacreates a change of environment for the kids," he continued.

Apart from those travelling from the United States and other parts of Canada, such as Montreal,a press contingent from Jamaica will also be travelling to Canada to cover the event for their various media outlets.

Celebrating island's culture

The concert segment of the celebration will take place alongside othernot-to-be-missed chunks of Jamaican culture: mouth-watering culinary treats that are sure to send one's taste buds back to 'yard', colourful fashion to energise the soul, and a potpourri of mementos and merchandise that will inspire a welcomed trip down memory lane. The Toronto International Jamaica Day Celebrationwill capture and showcase the very best that the island has to offer.

At a recent reception held at the Courtleigh Hotel, Toronto International Jamaica Day Celebration honoured two stalwarts in reggae, recording artiste Freddy McGregor and tour manager Copeland Forbes.

Sponsors for Jamaica Dayinclude Air Jamaica, Western Union, Digicel and the Courtleigh Hotel. The event is being produced by the Sunrise Talent Development Programme.

Since its inception, Jamaica Day has provided a platform for nearly 150 Canadian artistes to be showcased to thousands of fans.

For more, log on to www.jamaicadaytoronto.com.