THE FIRST ANNUAL BOB MARLEY FESTIVAL TO HEAT UP KANDOS, AUSTRALIA, MAY 4!

While the weather cools off in the rest of the region, Kandos is heating up to the tropical sounds of reggae in preparation for the inaugural Kandos Bob Marley Festival this Saturday, May 4.

The concept came about when regulars at Down the Track café decided Parkes shouldn’t have all the fun with the Elvis Festival, and Kandos should add a must-see event to the regional music calendar by celebrating much-loved reggae music.

Reggae tunes will be the heart of the event, with Sydney group Errol Renaud and Caribbean Soul playing a brand of original music with a rich Caribbean flavour, serving up a taste of conscious lyrics spiced up with soca and reggae and fused with funky and exotic world beats.

Regulars at the Basement in Sydney, the band will make everyone forget they’re heading into winter, along with local bands Fig Jam and Kings of Congo Congo, who will give a reggae twist to their usual high energy performance.

A full program of music will take place from 11.30am onwards in the heart of Kandos.

The reggae atmosphere will be boosted by a broad range of reggae-related activities taking place on the open area alongside Down the Track café.

“We have some buskers, a local DJ playing reggae music leading up to the start of live entertainment, and stall numbers are growing for a Jamaican-theme market,” said Sue Honeysett, who has organised the event with friend Mary Kavanagh.

“We will have a prize for the best dressed stall, also the best dressed person, and we think we will run a Bob Marley poster comp for kids.”

The sights and sounds of reggae will be complemented by tasty Jamaican meals.

“Jamaican food is known for its flavour and we’ll have traditional dishes such as Jerk Chicken on skewers as well as pasties filled with delicious Jamaican curry filling, corn cobs, goat curry, and the Aussie sausage sandwich will have a Jamaican feel with salsa sauce available alongside the usual barbecue and tomato sauces,” Ms Honeysett said.

“Locals are invited to bring their visiting friends and relatives along to enjoy a day of fun.”