Miami – Families and Reggae music fans of all ages gathered at the Coconut Grove Expo Center this past Sunday, December 4th, to enjoy the 2005 South Florida Family Reggae Festival.
Initially scheduled for October 30, 2005, the annual festival, billed as a FREE one-day interactive musical event celebrating the wide cross-cultural and multi-generational appeal of the Caribbean’s greatest export: Reggae Music had been postponed due to Hurricane Wilma.
Attendees were treated to international food , cultural booths, a fashion show, an air-conditioned indoor children’s play area with entertainment (Caribbean Puppetmasters and Clowns: Sugar & Spice), and stellar performances from Reggae legends Third World and Marcia Griffiths as well as Chrisinti (joined briefly by roots Reggae singer Everton Blender) and Miami’s own 4th Dimension Band.
The South Florida Reggae showcase artists Evette, Natty Remo, Country Speng, Lady Spanner, and Binghi Bob all turned in exceptional performances backed by the Millennium Band.
Reggae Music Row, a feature unique to the festival, allowed attendees to meet and greet local reggae personalities from radio announcers to entertainers. Included were representatives from WDNA radio’s Reggae Ride, WLRN’s Sounds of the Caribbean, WHQT Hot 105’s Reggae Runnings, Eight76 Records, Joe Frasier Records, and DJ Jamusa of WAVS AM1170.
The late Clint O’Neil, beloved WLRN veteran radio DJ, was presented with the inaugural South Florida Reggae Pioneer Award as part of the festival. The award was accepted by his sister Faith Donaldson. Ms. Donaldson said “Of the many awards Clint received over the years, I have to say this is one of the most beautiful I have seen.
You can see the hard work that went into this festival, and it paid off.” Erlene Ford of WLRN 91.3 FM accepted the festival award presented to WLRN for it’s continuous airing of the “Sounds of The Caribbean” radio show, the longest running show of it’s kind in South Florida for over two and a half decades.
An excellent time was had by all as attendees arrived early and stayed late to enjoy all that the day had to offer. Here is a sampling of some of the comments sent via email:
“This is a great, great idea. Anyone who wanted to spend a Sunday doing something the whole family can enjoy would want to do this.”
“As a vendor I want to give thanks for the opportunity to be a part of this festival. I am definitely coming back next year.”- Natural Mystic
“I saw people there that I hadn’t seen out in years, we don’t usually get this kind of entertainment.”
“This is a great start, and I definitely look forward to next year.”- Lady English (HOT 105/Reggae Runnings)
Planning of the 2006 South Florida Family Reggae Festival is already under way. Tentatively being scheduled for next fall, the Festival will build on its primary theme of presenting the best of the South Florida Reggae and Caribbean community. Organizers will also partner the Sunday festival with their first-ever International Reggae Radio and Retail Conference. The conference will take place the Saturday before the South Florida Family Reggae Festival and bring together key members of the reggae music industry for an important networking and business opportunity.
This event was produced by Family Reggae Festivals, Inc. and Jamaica Awareness Inc. in association with various sponsors.
