Belize is gearing up for one of its most anticipated events of the year: the Belize Music and Food Festival (BIMFF) 2024. This festival, which will take place on July 27th and 28th, is a showcase of the rich and diverse culture of this Central American country, featuring a mix of local and international musical talents and culinary delights.

BIMFF 2024, also known as BIMFF 3.0, is the third edition of this annual event, which aims to promote Belize as a premier destination for music and food lovers. The festival is organized by the Belize Tourism Board and MARS Productions, in collaboration with various sponsors and partners.

The festival will be held at Saca Chispas Field in San Pedro, the largest town on Ambergris Caye, Belize’s most popular island. San Pedro, also known as La Isla Bonita, is a tropical paradise with white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and a vibrant nightlife.

The festival will kick off with a mega concert on July 27th, featuring 10 international artists, two international DJs, 16 local artists, and a number of local DJs. The concert will span various genres, such as reggae, soca, dancehall, pop, rock, and more, catering to different tastes and preferences.

Among the international artists, some of the most notable names are Shyne, a Belizean rapper and politician who was once signed to Bad Boy Records; Simone Biles, an American gymnast and Olympian who has Belizean roots; and Pi’erre Bourne, a rapper and record producer who was born in Belize. Among the local artists, some of the most popular names are Lova Boy, a recording artist and entrepreneur who is known as the Prince of Belize; The Harmonettes, a legendary Belizean band that emerged in the 1960s and 70s; and Zee Edgell, a novelist and educator who is considered Belize’s principal contemporary writer.

The festival will continue with an all-day party on July 28th, where attendees will have the opportunity to savor the unique and delicious Belizean cuisine. The festival will include four different food pavilions, each focusing on a different aspect of the local food culture: street eats, gourmet dishes, seafood, and desserts. The food pavilions will also offer cooking demonstrations, tastings, and competitions, adding to the fun and excitement.

Some of the most popular dishes in Belize are rice and beans, a staple dish that is often served with stewed chicken, fried plantains, and potato salad; fry jacks, pieces of bread dough that are deep-fried and eaten for breakfast with eggs, cheese, refried beans, or jam; cochinita pibil, a slow-cooked pork dish that is marinated in achiote paste, orange juice, and lime; hudut, a dish made from mashed plantains and coconut milk, often paired with fish cooked in a spicy coconut sauce; garnaches, fried corn tortillas topped with refried beans, cheese, cabbage, tomatoes, and carrots; and conch fritters, balls of chopped conch meat mixed with flour, water, and spices, and then fried .

BIMFF 2024 is expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the globe, who are eager to experience the rhythm and flavor of Belize. The festival is not only a celebration of the senses, but also a celebration of the spirit of Belize, which is characterized by diversity, harmony, and joy.