Ithaca Reggae Fest was back—and not just for one day. This year, the festival expanded to a two-day celebration in its seventh year, bringing fun, dope music, great laid-back vibes, a beautiful setting, and a super chill atmosphere. Stewart Park is the perfect location for a reggae festival; nestled up to Cayuga Lake, attendees were blessed with a refreshing lake breeze, sunny skies, electrifying performances, reggae vibes, love, and amazing people.

In addition to the music, Ithaca Reggae Fest offered the Lake Discovery Village, Yoga Village, Skateboard Village, Art Village, and Youth Village, creating an all-around wonderful weekend. The festival is dedicated to the protection of Cayuga Lake through a conscious celebration of Ithaca’s legendary reggae community and its history. Attendees also enjoyed incredible food and beverage vendors, as well as a variety of craft and merchandise vendors. Russ Friedell, a director for the festival, anticipated a record turnout this year. But for him, it’s not just about the numbers—it’s about the meaning of the event.

“The vibe of Reggae Fest is really peace, love, reggae, and community,” Friedell said. “The message of reggae music in general is pretty universal—peace, love, love one another, come together. In these times, that message has never been more necessary for us all to remind ourselves of.”

The festival kicked off on Friday evening with a free block party featuring a dance step and double-dutch troupe, GIAC Jumpers, EvoEvolution, indigenist artist Ononkwa-Medicine, and legendary reggae DJ Carter Van Pelt.

Saturday began with various yoga stations and practices, leading into the first performance of the day: the Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ Cultural Celebration. Tribal members shared stories, songs, and dances with the crowd, even inviting attendees to join in some of the dances. A highlight was the warrior dance performed by three young members of the tribe.

DJ Mike Judah kept the reggae beats, riddims, and classic tunes flowing, setting the tone for the day’s events. Meanwhile, the Flatland Freestyle US Pro/AM Championship skateboarding runs showcased incredible athletes doing their thing.

Cha Cha & The Analogue Sons opened the music lineup with a unique sonic dub soul reggae vibe. Led by Cha Cha, a Ghanaian artist with a fantastic voice, the band delivered a sound that blended Afrobeat and reggae seamlessly. The horns and percussion added depth to their performance, and Cha Cha’s humble and sweet personality shone through.

Next up was Personal Blend, a seven-piece group from Rochester, NY, bringing an upbeat reggae rock set. Their feel-good party vibe had the crowd dancing, with the horn section and dual vocalists keeping the energy high.

The energy skyrocketed when Gunpoets hit the main stage with their hip-hop reggae fusion. The crowd danced, jumped, and screamed along as the band used their instruments and lyrics as weapons for peace, love, and justice. Their uplifting performance defied stereotypes, and I had the pleasure of chatting with Dan Lisbe afterward about his projects.

SingTrece followed, hailing from Erie, PA, with a stunning mix of soul, R&B, and funk. Her powerful, deep voice evoked comparisons to Chaka Khan, and her band was absolutely brilliant. From the horns to the percussion, every element of their performance left the crowd in awe.

Mihali took the stage next, delivering his signature jam-packed performance. His band’s horn players stole the show with their emotional and energetic playing, while the drummer’s solo was unforgettable. After the set, Mihali spent time with fans, taking photos and sharing the love.

Black Lion, from Lilongwe, Malawi, brought a unique roots reggae sound with his band Heatwav. Despite being a three-piece band, their sound was rich and multifaceted, blending complex rhythms with smooth vocals. I had the chance to chat with Black Lion, and I’m excited to add his music to my playlist.

The night’s headliner, Kabaka Pyramid, took the stage with his band, The Bebble Rockers. Known for his Rastafarian connection to Africa and his lyrical prowess, Kabaka delivered an electrifying performance. The Bebble Rockers’ riddims and beats were flawless, and Kabaka’s hip-hop-infused reggae about unity and love captivated the crowd. It was the perfect way to end the night.

Sunday morning started with rain, which delayed the yoga and skateboarding activities. But as the clouds cleared, the day turned sunny and beautiful. DJ Art-V entertained the crowd as they arrived, and Steel Pulse gave a sneak peek during their soundcheck, offering a taste of what was to come.

The day began with the Notorious Stringbusters, a bluegrass band that brought a reggae twist to their set, including covers of Toots and the Maytals. Their energy had the crowd dancing and jamming.

Ithaca’s own Metasequoia followed with their funky rock reggae vibe, blending genres like rock, reggae, alternative, and blues. Led by Star on keys and vocals and Roo on guitar and vocals, their unique sound transported the crowd back to the ’80s.

Double Tiger was a revelation. Led by Jay Spaker, the band delivered an incredible roots reggae groove. Jay’s voice, reminiscent of classic Jamaican reggae, paired perfectly with the band’s riddims and standout horn section.

New Planets brought a genre-defying set, blending reggae with funky dance music. Their performance featured Cha Cha, who added his dynamic drumming and vocals to the mix.

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, from Rochester, NY, brought high-energy jams to the stage. Their horn section carried the set, and Jay Spaker joined them for “Champion,” elevating the energy even further.

As the festival neared its end, Thousands of One delivered a powerful set of conscious music, blending afrobeat, funk, reggae, and hip-hop. Their dynamic performance featured standout moments from Jhakeem Haltom on vocals and Mark Wienand on saxophone and flute.

Finally, the legendary Steel Pulse closed the festival with a masterful performance. Led by David Hinds, the band delivered perfection, weaving their songs into a message of unity and love. Their energy and showmanship left the crowd dancing and smiling, ending the festival on the highest note possible.

TheIthaca Reggae Festis the most chill and laid-back festival I’ve ever attended. Everyone—from vendors to organizers, volunteers, photographers, and concertgoers—felt like a friend. The sense of community was palpable, and the music was unforgettable.

As Russ Friedell said, “The vibe of Reggae Fest is really peace, love, reggae, and community.” He couldn’t have been more right. If you’re looking for great music, a perfect lakeside location, and an atmosphere of love and unity, don’t miss the next Ithaca Reggae Fest. You’ll leave with new friends, unforgettable memories, and a heart full of reggae vibes.

One Love – Todd M. Judd