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Virginia Graziani
Redwood Times
”Successful beyond our expectations in every way,” is how Justin Crellin, talent and publicity coordinator for the Mateel Community Center, described Reggae on the River 2010.
The festival, which was held at Benbow State Recreation Area on July 17 and 18, sold out at 3,000 tickets. Including staff, volunteers, vendors, and complimentary ticket holders, approximately 3,500 people attended the event each day.
The vibe was great, Crellin continued. Additionally, Reggae on the River was “positive financially” for the Mateel; “better than budgeted,” he said.
About half of the food sold on site was provided by local non-profits, including the South Fork Track and Field group, KMUD, the Mateel Meal group, and the Sprowel Creek Volunteer Fire Department, among others. Other non-profits raised funds as well as awareness at their information booths.
Although it is too soon to quote dollar figures, the non-profits also reported that they had done well.
”[State] Park staff were great to work with and so were all the other agencies involved with the event,” Crellin added.
He noted that people liked the family-friendly environment of a smaller event at Benbow, but that many fans also felt “sentiment” for returning to the old site at French’s Camp.
By 2005, the last year Reggae on the River was held at French’s Camp, attendance had reached anywhere from 14,000 to twice that number, according to various informal reports.
On Sunday evening, when the master of ceremonies asked the crowd if they liked the Benbow site, the crowd cheered. But when he asked whether they would like to return to French’s, the crowd also cheered.
The rumor that Reggae on the River would return to its original venue is based on a misunderstanding of the MC’s questions. Crellin explained: “He was just trying to get an idea of what the public would like. There’s a lot of fan interest, but it’s totally up in the air. Lots of conversation and lots of negotiation will be required.”
The Mateel Community Center is looking into various other possibilities for sites, he said. “We are communicating but no proposals have been made.”
This is the first time since the relocation of Reggae on the River that the festival expanded to two days, Crellin pointed out, and the Mateel is happy with the results. As of now, they expect to return to the Benbow site in 2011.
REDWOOD TIMES PHOTO BY JESSICA GARDNER
With the cooler weather on Sunday the crowd at this year’s Reggae on the River really seemed to enjoy the family atmosphere and excellent entertainment.
