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Austin Reggae Fest: Irie vibes for hungry times
- Photos: 2009 Reggae Fest lineup | 2008 festival
Continuing an Austin tradition over fifteen years deep, the irie vibes of the Austin Reggae Festival will resonate through Auditorium Shores on Saturday and Sunday. The festival is a benefit for Capital Area Food Bank which handles staffing, gate-keeping and financial affairs. Talent for the festival is booked by Austin reggae mainstay Flamingo Cantina. A favorite local event for years, the festival formerly known as the Bob Marley Festival exploded in 2008 with a line of expectant fest-goers stretching all the way across the Congress Avenue Bridge by 4 p.m. on opening day. Inside the festival grounds an eclectic cross-section of sleepy-eyed Austinites kicked hacky sacks, lounged in tents and danced with abandon. The massive artists’ market overflowed with vendors hocking everything from cute hippie skirts and jewelry to (ahem) glassware, and the expansive food court boasted a wide selection of international dishes alongside the standard festival fare. The vibe was mellow and while a pervasive smoky haze seemed to hang in the air over the festival, organizers report that there were no arrests at the 2008 event.
This year, anticipating another big turnout, festival organizers have taken steps to try to ease congestion at the gate, introducing advance tickets and separating the traditional food drive from the admission process. Advance tickets are $10 a day and will be available until 7 p.m. on Friday evening at the following Frontgate Ticket outlets. (Online ticket sales have already ended.) Ticket prices at the gate will be $15 a day with children 12 and under admitted for free.
We caught up with Capital Area Food Bank CEO David Davenport over the phone to talk about the history of the festival, the state of the food bank and what to expect at this year’s event.
Music Source: Can you talk about the relationship between Capital Area Food Bank and the Austin Reggae Fest?
David Davenport: We’ve been involved since the beginning. We provide volunteers and staff support for the event. We’ve also been the main beneficiary. (The festival) started in the spirit of Bob Marley— helping others while enjoying yourself. The food drive was a key part of the event from the beginning and that tradition has stayed a part of it all the way up to today and hopefully well into the future.
What percentage of the admission fee goes to the food bank?
About 40 percent.
Back in the day people could get reduced admission for donating non-perishable food items, but you’ve switched to a monetary donation?
Last year there was such an amazing turnout. The line was just really long reaching all the way into downtown. And it was a very hot day and people were standing for a really long time.
We actually talked to people who said they waited for over an hour to get in last year. It was the first time that happened?
Exactly. It was the first time it happened to that extent. The idea this year is to provide some pre-event sales. People with advance tickets will be able to enter through an express line where their tickets are scanned and they’ll be able to go right in with no need to get change or exchange money. Another thing that did slow down the entrance was the food drive. And folks can bring food. They can still make a donation if they choose, but the idea was to have a slightly higher fee to get in and then the food bank can turn around and purchase food with that extra amount. What it will do is keep the gates moving a lot quicker so we don’t see the lines that we had last year. On a hot day a long line like that becomes a concern.
Are you seeing an increase in demand for the food bank’s services this year?
Absolutely, we’ve increased our output about forty percent. Some of our agencies are seeing a two to three hundred percent increase over this time last year. Our largest month in our twenty-seven and a half year history was last month. We distributed more than two million pounds of food for the first time ever.
How strict is security at the festival, are people’s bags searched upon entry?
Yes, it’s a basic search that you’d get going into any event. We just want to make sure that it’s a good environment. It’s such a great, fun and enjoyable environment we want to keep it that way.
What’s the law enforcement presence like?
There will be both private security and police officers that are on duty at both the entranceway and on site.
The festival attracts a lot of eclectic types, what’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever seen at the event?
You know I thought that the dress and shoes that Leslie wore last year were extraordinary. It was sort of a purple sequined dress and a gorgeous pair of dark shoes. My wife was very jealous of both.
What are your expectations for this year’s festival?
I think this is such a cool part of Austin. It’s just one of the neat things that makes our community what it is. I expect a great turnout and a lot of excitement and folks just getting into the spirit of the event and the spirit of support for others in need. It’s such a special and unique event and I really look forward to it every year.
(Photos of 2008 Austin Reggae Festival by Laura Skelding AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
The Austin Reggae Festival takes place from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Auditorium Shores. The Skatalites headline at 8 p.m. Saturday and the Wailing Souls headline at 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets to the festival are $10 advance, $15 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free. For more information visit austinreggaefest.com.
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By Ryan
April 15, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this
I think it is great we are trying to reduce the line with advanced tickets as well as contribute more to the food bank, But many others and I seem to be having an extremely difficult time trying to find advanced ticket sales. Every link that says they sell advanced tickets brings me to a site that does not have advanced tickets for this festival
By Mike
April 15, 2009 1:10 PM | Link to this
Ryan: Advance online ticket sales have already ended (as stated in this article). Go to Stubbs, The Long Center, or Waterloo Records to get your advance tickets until 7pm on Friday.
By Raf
April 16, 2009 5:11 PM | Link to this
Hmmm, Ive attended this event since the very begining. What once used to be a yearly fun filled festival full of good times and friends seems to have turned into a commercial money making event. 15 bux to get in? Ridiculous. I remember when there was no fee except the two can donation. Looks like my friends and I will no longer be attending this yearly event.
By rude boy
April 17, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this
WHITE DREADZ!!!
GIVE TANKS!
www.hulu.com/watch/40968/digital-short-rasta-man