ATLANTA, Ga. – June 23, 2026 – As anticipation builds for the first-ever Rum Island Festival set to kick off July 11 at Atlanta’s iconic Piedmont Park Promenade, the brand-new Caribbean cultural celebration made its first television appearance this week on ATL Live, Atlanta News First’s top-rated lifestyle and entertainment program.
Founded by Atlanta-based event creator Marc Walcott, Rum Island Festival was conceived to center the vibrant, expanding Caribbean diaspora in Georgia’s capital, while opening a welcoming space for attendees of all cultural backgrounds to engage with authentic Caribbean traditions. During the televised segment, Walcott walked viewers through the festival’s core mission: to deliver an immersive, community-focused celebration built on three foundational pillars: culture, connection, and rum.
“Atlanta is home to a large, fast-growing Caribbean community, and we saw an opening for something new and energetic that truly honors that heritage,” Walcott explained during the live broadcast. “Our goal is to create a space where everyone can connect to Caribbean culture through food, music, shared experiences, and celebration.”
The television segment gave home audiences an early preview of what attendees can expect on festival day. A live culinary demonstration from festival partner Tropics Jerk Center showcased beloved regional dishes including jerk chicken, rice and peas, fried plantains, and Caribbean-style chow mein, while Walcott walked viewers through the preparation of the festival’s signature rum punch to tease the high-end food and beverage offerings available at the event.
Beyond food and drink, Walcott emphasized the festival’s commitment to intentional community impact and diverse cultural representation. The full entertainment lineup blends a range of diasporic sounds, from Dancehall and Soca to Afrobeats, Reggaeton, and Amapiano, and the event has partnered with Her Village Inc., a local nonprofit that supports families navigating financial hardship, to advance meaningful community good.
To cap off the studio appearance, carnival performance troupe Musas Do Sol brought the vivid energy of Caribbean Carnival to the ATL Live stage with a colorful, high-energy dance routine, giving viewers a taste of the pageantry and excitement planned for the July event.
Helmed by host Pretty Vee, a well-known media personality, comedian, and entrepreneur, the one-day festival will feature a stacked lineup of talent: headlining Dancehall artist Aidonia, breakout Caribbean performer Ayetian, and a roster of all-star DJs including Ricky Platinum, Yung Rage, Unique Soundz, Propa English, Boogy Ranks, and DJ Fabb, among others. Over eight hours, attendees will have access to continuous live entertainment, premium rum tastings, custom cocktail experiences, interactive cultural installations, and a dedicated Caribbean food village highlighting flavors from across the global diaspora.
Buoyed by widespread support from Atlanta’s Caribbean community and growing regional media attention, the Rum Island Festival team has outlined long-term plans to expand the event to major U.S. cities and Caribbean destinations in coming years, positioning it as a leading cultural event platform for the Southeast. Tickets, full lineup updates, and additional event details are available now on the official Rum Island Festival website.
Founded in Atlanta and built as a touring cultural experience, Rum Island Festival positions itself at the intersection of world-class live music, artisanal rum culture, authentic Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and community connection. The festival is already recognized as one of the most culturally intentional new event platforms in the Southeast, featuring confirmed A-list talent, celebrity guests, and organic brand activations rooted in community.