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This weekend, on July 21 and 22, the Mateel Community Center will host the 28th Annual Reggae On The River at Benbow Lake State Recreation Area in Garberville.

A favorite pilgrimage of reggae and roots fans worldwide, this annual event is also the main fundraiser of the non-profit Mateel Community Center and this year’s show represents the continuing evolution of MCC’s grassroots reclamation of the great Reggae On The River tradition.

A special farewell to Benbow, the 28th Annual Reggae On The River will give thanks for this beautiful location as the event gears up for a big return home to its’ original French’s Camp venue in 2013.

Just cause for celebration (and your support to help achieve this goal), the event will showcase a massive lineup featuring many of the top names in reggae and world music. Live from two stages, the festival will host iconic artists from the far corners of the globe including Toots & The Maytals, Midnite, Lady Saw, Romain Virgo, Calypso Rose, Turbulence, Oliver Mtukudzi & Black Spirits, Fantan Mojah, Duane Stephenson, Nkulee Dube, Tosh Meets Marley, Pato Banton & The Now Generation, Yami Bolo, Alika, Bambu Station, Reemah, Daniel Bambaata Marley, Humble Soul, Lady Passion, i-Kronik, Winston Jarrett & Guidance Band, Junior Toots, Quinto Sol, Indubious, Casper Loma Da Wa & The Mighty 602 Band, Winstrong, Yellow Wall Dub Squad, The Lions, Streetkind, Synrgy, and Juce, plus many of the top local DJs and sound systems.

Additionally, the event will host more than 80 craft, food, and non-profit vendors; a lively kid zone; and a weekend full of happy reggae fun on the banks of the majestic Eel River.

For the full scoop, check out a copy of the official program guide, out now at select newsstands throughout CA/OR, or visit www.reggaeontheriver.com, where stage schedules, artist bios, sales links, and all other festival info can be found.

Tickets are still available at www.reggaeontheriver.com and at outlets throughout Humboldt/ Mendocino Counties and the North Bay Area for a price of $110 for the weekend pass. Please visit the ticket page of the festival website for a list of ticket outlets and note that advance tickets are advised. Single day tickets will be available at the gate only this year and will be priced at $60 per day.

Campground reservations are currently available at Benbow Lake State Park and Cook’s Valley Campgrounds (along with the campgrounds at Benbow Valley RV Resort and Richardson Grove, both of which are already sold out). All of these campgrounds are either on the shuttle route or walking distance to the concert. Benbow Lake Campground will be operated by the Mateel Community Center and will offer a quieter family camp option, while Cooks Valley Campground will be the place to party late into the night.

Both campgrounds are offered exclusively to ROTR attendees for up to a three-night stay, July 20-22, with individual, group site, and RV camping options available. For more information and sales links, visit the camping page of www.reggaeontheriver.com and be sure to make your reservations in advance.

Please also note that significant improvements have been made to the festival shuttle service this year and this complimentary shuttle will offer the best and most efficient way to get to and from the event, with regular service and direct routes to the main festival campgrounds, plus the towns of Redway and Garberville.

Shuttle schedules will be posted at all stops, which include Majestic Center in Redway, the Chevron station in Garberville, Benbow Lake State Park & Campground, the Bear Pen lot, Richardson Grove State Park, and Cook’s Valley Campground. There are also limited free and paid parking options in the town of Benbow for those who’d rather drive.

For more information call the festival office at (707) 923-3368 or go to www.reggaeontheriver.com, and don’t delay another minute in making your plans for the 28th annual Reggae On The River, happening this weekend, July 21 and 22, at Benbow Lake State Recreation Area. It’s going to be an incredible experience that will rock Benbow one last time in true Reggae On The River style and also set the stage for the festival’s long-awaited return home to French’s Camp in 2013.

photo captions:

1. top, Daniel Bambaata Marley; bottom, Duane Stephenson

2. top, Fantan Mojah; bottom, Lady Saw

3. top, Nkulee-Dube; bottom, Oliver Mtukudzi Band

4. top, Pato Banton; bottom, Toots & The Maytals

5. Romain Virgo