The 5th annual Ithaca Reggae Fest will be held from June 23rd to the 24th at Stewart Park. This will be a family-friendly community event celebrating the meeting point of Jamaican and New York State reggae.
The Fest will kick off on Friday, June 23rd from 5 to 9 PM at the Large Pavilion in Stewart Park. This Welcome Block Party will feature performances from DJ Jesse Hill, Mohawk peoples’ Ononkwa-Medicine, and the GIAC Jumpers. Following these opening acts will be legendary Jamaican producer, Scientist, who will be performing a select set with various special guests. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage in civic responsibility by participating in the HeadCount Voter Drive, with the opportunity to register to vote, and other things.
On the following Saturday, June 24th, the festivities will continue beginning at 9 AM with 108 Sun Salutations led by the festival’s partners Yoga Farm. After the Salutations, festival goers will have the opportunity to participate in additional yoga activities as well as a free breakfast. A Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ Cultural Celebration and community drum circle with One Heart Community Drumming will directly follow to launch a day full of incredible artists.
In addition to the headlining performers including the Rochester-based Giant Panda Guerrilla Squad and the Ithaca-based Double Tiger, Saturday’s lineup includes some of the best reggae bands from throughout New York State from Brooklyn’s SunDub to Ithaca’s own afrofunk New Planets.
The Ithaca Reggae Fest will also feature various “villages” for festival goers to visit and participate in, each with their own theme. As the festival is dedicated to protecting Cayuga Lake, it will showcase numerous water protection organizations from throughout the state in its Education Village. Divertingly, the Youth Village is a place where young people can find a sense of belonging at the festival as Ithaca’s own GIAC is organizing various activities including face painting, family yoga, hula hooping, art projects, games, the Physics Bus, and more.
With a focus on all things art, GIAC and famous artist Jay Stooks will be hosting the Art Village featuring numerous local, regional, and national artists. These individuals will be creating live art in addition to an interactive mural for all to paint on throughout the day on Saturday.
Lastly, the Fest is in collaboration with AJ Kohn of the Philadelphia Skateboard Academy, Real Action Sports, and The School of Shred. They will be presenting Skateboard Village which will be hosting the 2nd Annual Flat Attack US Pro/Am Championships of Flatland Freestyle Skateboarding. The event will be free to attend and open to all to register. The Qualifying Rounds take place on Friday, June 23 from 11 AM to 5 PM before the Championships on Saturday, June 24 from 2 to 7 PM. Everything skateboarding will take place at the Tennis Courts in Stewart Park. Following the Championship there will be an open invitation to all local and regional skateboarders to compete in a game of S.K.A.T.E., Highest Ollie, and Kicker Best Trick with tons of prizes and raffles. The Art and Skateboard Village is open to the public, and no Ithaca Reggae Fest ticket is needed to participate.
The Ithaca Reggae Fest aims to bring the community together through music, art, and everything in between. Tickets and more information can be found here, with local tickets available at Ithaca Guitar Works.
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