‘Europe’s Most Authentic Reggae Festival’ Returns to the Birthplace of Reggae
On June 14th and 15th, 2024, Reggae Park 420 Escape will be host to one of the most historic Reggae music festivals Jamaica has seen in many years when Reggae Jam International 2024 comes the original home of Reggae music to celebrate its 30-year anniversary.
What makes this event even more special is the headlining performer, “roots” Reggae legend Winston Rodney O.D (aka Burning Spear), who has not performed in his homeland of Jamaica in 16 years.
As The Honorable Minister Olivia Grange explains to Dr. Forbes in her endorsement letter,
“As minister of Culture, I am pleased that the commemoration of Reggae Jam’s 30th year is taking place in the birthplace of Reggae music in Jamaica and will pay homage to the living legend Mr. Winston Rodney O.D., professionally known as “Burning Spear”, who also headlines the event. Burning Spear is one of the last remaining ‘roots’ artists from the 70’s and has not performed in Jamaica for the last 16 years. It is therefore fitting that he is being honored at a festival that has as its mission, the preservation of Jamaican culture through music”.
Minister of Culture, Olivia Grange goes on to say...
“We welcome Reggae enthusiasts from around the world who will gather in Trelawney to celebrate their love and appreciation of Reggae Music. The Reggae Jam product adds another dimension to Jamaica’s festival landscape as it allows for an Irie concert vibe in a rural, non-commercial setting that is reminiscent of the original Reggae Sunsplash”
As public relations and customer experience director of Reggae Park 420 Escape, Cortia Shepherd explains,
“Reggae Park is a brand-new property purchased in 2019, and then the pandemic hit. It is exquisite ... the backdrop is the mountains ... and the river wraps around the property like a horseshoe. It’s the kind of thing where you have not performed at a reggae venue until you perform at Reggae Park.”
Back in September of 2017, a few years before the Covid pandemic struck, I was fortunate enough to have my flight from a business trip in Mexico to Houston canceled when hurricane Harvey dumped historic rainfall on the Gulf of Mexico coastal city. I say I was fortunate because the gentlemen I was traveling with had business in Jamaica, and invited me along for the trip, and it was that chance trip to Jamaica where I met Dr. Donovan Forbes – entrepreneur, philanthropist, CEO and owner of Reggae Park 420 Escape.
During my stay in Jamaica, Dr. Forbes not only gave me a guided tour of the remarkable 62-acre piece of Jamaica he had acquired, but he also shared with me his vision to create a destination in Reggae Park 420 Escape like no other in Jamaica. One that focuses on the preservation of the Jamaican culture, the pride and prosperity of the local community, and the promotion of Jamaica’s music, Reggae.
As the world shut down when the Covid pandemic struck in 2019, Dr. D and his team at Reggae Park 420 Escape were hard at work building his vision of a destination that allows visitors to experience the true vibrant culture of Jamaica and the warm friendly people that inhabit it. In addition, to celebrate the rythmic sounds of Reggae, and of course the herb that found the most fertile growing ground in Jamaica over 150 years ago.
As Dr. Forbes explains:
“We recognize the resurgence of the Post-COVID Reggae-420 Entertainment Cultural Landscape in various art forms such as music, art, fashion, dance, literature, and theater, and as a cultural Enterprise, we understand the worldwide influence of the Reggae culture and are committed to leveraging it to create economic value. Reggae and the 420 cultures have influenced every genre of music on the world stage, from Jazz, Rap, Afro-beats, and Country to Classical music. Our mission is to showcase the Reggae-420 entertainment repertoire in a vibrant and opulent setting, paired with the best in Cultural Authentic Gastronomy”.
Over the past seven years Dr. Forbes has lived into his vision, turning his breathtaking property in the lush hills of Trelawney Parrish, in the town of Wakefield, into a one-of-a-kind cultural and entertainment destination that will transform the tourist experience in Jamaica.
Originally a sugar plantation, Reggae Park 420 Escape can comfortably accommodate 60,000 to 100,000 persons, and Dr. Forbes and his team promise that it provides the perfect setting for a reggae show like no other.
The entire team at Reggae Park 420 Escape are absolutely thrilled and grateful to have received this endorsement from the Jamaican Government’s Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.
“Reggae music has a unique ability to inspire and connect people of all ages and can bridge the generational gap “through its infectious rhythm. By embracing this genre, we have created a space, Reggae Park 420 Escape, where individuals from different backgrounds can find common ground. So, let’s celebrate the unifying force of reggae music and allow it to bring us all together”. - Dr. Donovan Forbes
As you can imagine tickets for this historic 2-day event, headlined by the living legend Burning Spear on Saturday June 15th, are going fast, but today there are still plenty available.
Click on the poster below, or follow this link https://www.reggaejam-international.com/ to secure your spot.
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