By Richard Johnson—

 Josef Bogdanovich (center), chairman & CEO of Downsound Entertainment, the holding company for Reggae Sumfest, signs a with the Jamaica Tourist Board. Looking on are Director of Tourism Paul Pennicook (left), and Jason Hall ( seated right), deputy director of tourism. Also looking on is Robert Russell (background), deputy chairman of Downsound Entertainment.—-

It is six weeks to this year’s staging of music festival Reggae Sumfest, set for July 17 through 23, in Montego Bay, St James. And its head honcho Josef Bogdanovich said plans are “well advanced”.

“The line-up is complete, contracts for PR (public relations)are finalized and now being executed. Marketing people are doing their job. The press launch is scheduled for this coming Wednesday at Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records in Kingston. Sound, stage and lighting designs are now complete. I think patrons will find it fresh and energized,” he told Splash.

Bogdanovich recently announced that the event will see an ‘all-Jamaican’ roster of acts, which is a sharp departure for the trend of injecting international acts to boost the appeal of the festival.

A media launch is set for next Wednesday and, as such, the Sumfest team is keeping the finer details close to their chests.

 ReggaeSumfest16Poster

“Everything is falling into place. The Sumfest team knows what they are doing. Many acts do qualify for Sumfest, but in this transition year, a lot of things we have in mind takes time… there are no hurdles,” said Bogdanovich.On Wednesday, Reggae Sumfest secured the endorsement from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) for this year’s 24th staging of the festival.

“We are considering an artist to be honored but haven’t come to a conclusion as yet. We also have a 10 per cent birthday discount for those persons born in July. Just show your ID at the gate. It’s really about reggae music, international reggae music, dancehall music, food, fashion and fun.” said Bogdanovich.

ReggaeSumfest2016

Reggae Sumfest 2016 kicks off with a Beach Party at the Aqua Sol Theme Park on July 17; the All-White Party hits Pier 1 on July 19. The live shows commence on July 22 with Dancehall Night, and Reggae Night will close the curtains on July 23.

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