After more than a decade hiatus, Tulsa’s original Reggaefest is back, and this time, returns with an all-star lineup of international, national and local entertainment, food, arts and crafts.
The event is all ages and gates open 3 p.m. June 29 and noon June 30 at Veterans Park at 18th Street and Boston Avenue.
Performers include The English Beat; Don Carlos, former lead singer of Black Uhuru and one of reggae’s all-time super groups from Kingston, Jamaica, and The Itals, also from Kingston.
For 15 years, Tim Barraza’s Reggaefest was a staple in the music scene, and after an 11-year hiatus, it’s back.
“Tulsa has many good things happening right now and I want to once again bring unique events to the area,” Barraza said in a media statement. “I’m excited to be back at the original location with an international roster of bands.”
Other artists include Kansas City’s The Blue Riddim Band, the only American reggae band to be nominated for a Grammy; up-and-coming folk reggae artist Trevor Hall; Cas Haley, the Dallas-born runner-up on America’s Got Talent; Rude King from Dallas; RC Dub and local acts Local Hero, The Rebellion, Sam & the Stylees and Frosty & the Janes.
There also will be a children’s play area, Barraza said.
In June 1986, Barraza brought the Jamaican reggae beat to the streets of Tulsa and brought in crowds as high as 15,000. The last official Reggaefest was June 2001, he said.
A limited number of reduced-rate “early bird” tickets are $18 for June 29, $18 for June 30 or $32 for both days, available now at tulsaworld.com/reggaefest
Once the reduced tickets are sold, prices will increase, Barraza said.
Children age 10 and younger get in free.
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