The 8th annual Ithaca Reggae Fest at Historic Steward Park has announced the lineup for its upcoming spring festival. The festival will span over the weekend of June 26-28 and will feature exciting activities and numerous talented artists.
The annual celebration will begin on Friday, June 26th, with a free Friday block party from 5-9pm. This party will feature a headline performance by The Night Nurse, performing reggae tracks that have been crucial throughout her multi-decade career. The evening will also include performances by the GIAC Jumpers and other exciting artists to be announced at a later date. The evening will have food and drinks available to buy on the shores of Cayuga Lake at the Large Pavilion in Stewart Park.
Saturday, June 27, kicks off with a free yoga program led by Yoga Farm Ithaca, a partner to the festival. The music will begin with Easy Star Records’ Flying Vipers, followed by Sophistafunk, a funk-soul-hip-hop trio. In addition Will of the People and The Night Nurse will continue playing heavy dubs. The day will also welcome the debut of Carlton Livingston, a legendary Jamaican vocalist, backed up by Dub Apocalypse.
The day goes into full swing with Jesse Royal, Jamaica’s very own conscious and powerful artist, and Papa Michigan, a reggae dancehall originator backed up by Dub Apocalypse. The night will end with 10 Ft. Ganja Plant, offering a mysterious and deep roots reggae vibe.
Sunday, June 28th, will also kick off with a second yoga activity led by Yoga Farm Ithaca. The day will then lead to the debut of more reggae legends, beginning with DJ Art-V playing African Reggae and afrobeat, and followed by Roadman, a talented singer-songwriter. RDF will offer eclectic dance party sounds leading to the reggae rockers Mosaic Foundation and then iGNITE!, Rochester’s own reggae establishment.
Sunday will also feature the debut of The Skatalites, one of the greatest foundational Jamaican reggae bands. In addition, the reggae band Strykers Posse, a talented all-female band, will perform. The evening and weekend commence with the debut of Third World, a foundational Jamaican reggae legend.
With a focus on family, the Youth Village is a place where young people can find a sense of belonging at the festival. Ithaca’s own Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) is organizing various festival activities including face painting, family yoga, hula hooping, art projects, games and more. And as a family friendly event, youth under 16 are all admitted free of charge with a parent or legal guardian!
And focusing on art, Ithaca Reggae Fest is excited to partner with GIAC and famous artist Jay Stooks to host the Art Village featuring numerous local, regional and national artists creating live art in addition to an interactive mural for all to paint on throughout the weekend.
Throughout all of this, Ithaca Reggae Fest, in collaboration with AJ Kohn of the Philadelphia Skateboard Academy, Real Action Sports, and The School of Shred, is very excited to present its Skateboard Village hosting the 5th Annual Flat Attack US Pro/Am Championships of Flatland Freestyle Skateboarding. Free to attend and open to all to register, practice and meet up will take place on Friday, June 26 starting at 5 PM at the tennis courts at Stewart Park before the Championships on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28 with check in at 11 AM and contest from 12 to 3 PM all 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 Skateboard Village is open to the public, and no Ithaca Reggae Fest ticket is needed to participate.
To help keep you dancing, all weekend will feature prominent local food vendors including Silo Food Truck & Fry Stand, Yxi’s Arepas & Gordito, Authentic Jerk: A Taste of Real Jamaica, Babe’s Burger, Caribbean Patty World, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Copper Horse Coffee & more. And in addition, multiple craft vendors including Hooked Production (Love the Life You Live), Uplift Apparel, Nadine Essra Designs, Crystalized goddess, Laura’s Raw Honey & more will have plenty of craft wares to choose from.
Bringing the community together, tickets to the triumphant return of the 8th Annual Ithaca Reggae Fest are on sale now with the Friday, June 26 event being free, and children under 16 admitted free of charge with a ticket-holding parent or guardian on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28. Tickets and information can be found at IthacaReggaeFest.com.
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