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 R evelers at Vermont's 14th Annual Reggae Festival in
the Northeast Kingdom sweltered in almost 90-degree temperatures this year. But despite the heat, there was relatively little trouble amongst a crowd that police
estimated as being just over 15,000 people. The atmosphere was congenial and easy going. There was a free food tent and plenty of water. You didn't have to
pay really for anything except for parking which is how this event is financed. The rates ranged from $50.00 per car for a two night parking and camping pass to
$25.00 for the day. You could save some money by paying in advance in Burlington - Vermont's big city.
The festival is promoted as a drug and alcohol free event and this was enforced within the actual arena where people gathered to dance. Outside this area,
people were relatively free to indulge in whatever they wanted provided they were not blatant about it. So pot smoking and a bit of
drinking did go on and police did make some arrests.
 Periodically, State Police
hired on over time by Festival Organizers would patrol on ATVs among the parked cars and campers. But quite often the police themselves would be sheltering from the heat!
The Music
In between being doused with water by the Hardwick Fire Department, scores of reggae enthusiasts danced to the music of Beenie Man,
Clinton Fearson and Nadine Sutherland. The sound of reggae is something completely different to that of a rock concert. It seems
more extemporaneous, but at the same time lively, with a good beat. The sound system was excellent. You could hear the music almost a half mile away from center stage.
In between the acts, revelers were reminded about the importance of drinking lots of water and using lots of sunblock.
Festival goers may have notice a solitary police cruiser parked in a field up the hill from the festival. The cruiser was there to guard hay bales. You can read more
about this in past reviews.
Timothy Palmer-Benson
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