Wasting the day away
This year's annual fall Rock-N-Reggae festivals are scheduled for Saturday. Yet, once again concert-goers will find themselves in a bind trying to decide which of the two rivaling all-day festivals of fun in the sun they will want to patronize, as each festival claims to be the original that people have come to enjoy over the past several years.
According to both show promoters, the two different events will essentially be the same, given the variety of music and the basic nature of the event compared to years past. The only difference between the two depends mainly on which location and which bands the festival-goer prefers.
"(The event) will be the same as it always has been, it has just changed locations," said John Thomas, coordinator for Vestaburg's festival.
Salt River Acres of Oil City is putting on The Original 6th Annual Fall Rock-N-Reggae Bash at the same camp grounds that have hosted the event for the past several years. The rival event will take place in Vestaburg, where CMU alumnus Mike Thomas, John Thomas's brother and co--coordinator for Vestaburg's festival, hosted the show once before, during the spring of 1998. Mike Thomas claims to have started the Rock-N-Reggae festival years ago at the Oil City location before the two parties parted ways a couple of years back.
"We are the original people who started the festival," said John Thomas.
Nevertheless, according to press releases, both of this season's events will host many local and international bands, vendors, audience members and the fun, open-party atmosphere that the fans have come to love through the years.
Salt River Acres will feature seven live bands ranging in styles, including the funky guitar-heavy sounds and flashy antics of The Reverend Right Time & The 1st Cuzins of Funk (who have been newly signed to Atlantic Records), the hard rock funk and ska of Daddy Longlegs (now with former Botfly vocalist/harmonicist Craig Griffith added to the lineup), soulful funk rock by Knee Deep Shag (this will be their last Michigan show with bassist Troy Stansberry), reggae by One World Tribe, The Basiks, and Indika (winner of numerous Chicago music awards), and smooth jazz-rock and fusion styles all with a female lead vocal courtesy of the band Heavy Weather.
"This is a really good, solid lineup," said Chris Carr, co-owner of Salt River Acres and coordinator of the Oil City event.
Vestaburg's festival will feature eight live bands. Headlining the show will be the Columbus, Ohio, psychedelic improvisational band Ekoostic Hookah. The reggae headliner for the show will be the Detroit band Black Market. Other reggae groups at the show include Gypsi Fari (from Chicago), Jah Kings and Family Magic. Rock stylings featured will include upbeat ska-rock by The Dopes, grungy psychedelic alternative by Pleasure Pushers, and hard alternative rock by Simple Neptune.
Other events at both festivals include prize giveaways and various vendors peddling everything from clothing and jewelry to food. Some vendors will provide vegetarian foods. Both venues will host remote live broadcasts by local radio stations.
Salt River Acres has added several bonuses to their event, the main one being an "outrageous lingerie contest" presented by Luscious Lynn. There will be a $100 prize for the winner, male or female. Salt River Acres will also be shooting prizes, (mainly t-shirts) from a special cannon, and showing psychedelic liquid light shows.
Carr didn't have much extra to add about the event due to the fact that it is the same situation that people have come to know for all the years it has been held.
"It stays pretty consistent and is positive and fun. It's a good lineup, a good party and a good atmosphere. We like the format," Carr said.
Gates to both events open at 10 a.m. and close at midnight. The music starts at noon, rain or shine.
Salt River Acres adds that it is a legally licensed campground and that people are welcome to stay overnight in their cars in case of emergency, but are not allowed to use tents due to safety hazards at such an event.
Carr said "we don't promote excessive drinking," but expressed that they understand some people will need to stay overnight in order for safer driving conditions. Carr suggested making sure that guests to the event have a designated sober driver.
Thomas mentioned that the Vestaburg festival will also allow people stay after in their vehicles if needed, even though they are not a designated camp ground.
Tickets to each event are $15 at the gate.
No glass, dogs, fires, P.A. systems, tanks, re-admissions or refunds are allowed at either location. Sunscreen and/or raincoats are suggested.
For more information contact Salt River Acres at 773-5074, or access the Web site www.saltriveracres.com, and the Vestaburg Web site at www.rocknreggae.com or (734) 451-3548.
