Tickets on sale for Spring Break Reggae Fest
Locals and visitors have a chance to sway to the island beats next weekend in Cape Coral.
The 3rd Annual South Cape Spring Break Reggae Festival will run from 2 p.m. March 18 to 2 a.m. March 19 on four different stages at the Dixie Roadhouse and Rockade; doors open at 1 p.m. the first day. More than a dozen bands are set to perform, with Jahfe opening for the headliner, Maxi Priest.
“I love reggae music and I didn’t see much of it around in this market, but I did see it in Tampa and Miami,” David Townsend, co-owner of the Dixie and Rockade, said of first starting the festival.
“I knew there was an underserved market, that people wanted reggae shows,” he added.
Attendance jumped from about 2,500 in 2015 to 3,500 last year with the addition of a headliner.
“You never know, but I’m hoping for 4,500 at least,” Townsend said of this year’s turnout.
The main stage will be located outside on Southeast 11th Place, alongside Dixie; Rockade will also feature an outside stage. Music on both of the outside stages will run from 2 to 11 p.m. March 18.
There will also be stages inside of the Dixie and Rockade. Music at the indoor Dixie stage will run from 2 to 8 p.m. March 18; the indoor Rockade stage will run music from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. March 19.
Maxi Priest will perform on the main Dixie stage at about 9 p.m.
Townsend explained that a committee made up from the reggae scene suggested the headliner.
“Maxi Priest has some crossover hits that aren’t just reggae – from the ’90s,” he said, noting that Top 40 fans will know him as a performer. “So lots of people who don’t even listen to reggae like him.”
There are approximately 15 bands performing at the festival.
“They’re regional bands, everywhere from Tampa to Miami, and a few from Fort Myers and Cape Coral,” Townsend said, noting that they use regional acts because they are more known locally.
“Most of them did play last year,” he added.
Some on the lineup are Jah Movement, Spred the Dub, NostalJah, No Need, Root’s Almighty, The Jewmaicans, The Jammin G’s and The Freecoasters. Lance-O, for Kulcha Shok Muzik, is the emcee.
“We haven’t ever had him before,” Townsend said.
The inside stage will feature another festival first-timer.
“We have another deejay from Tampa,” he said.
Last year, organizers received a lot of interest in the event from families.
“When we did the show, there were a lot of young people there,” Townsend said.
“So this year, it’s all ages,” he added.
A children’s area, featuring activities and games, has even been added to the celebration.
“We’ve got a troupe of performers that will focus on children. They do magic and dances using LED stuff,” Townsend said, adding that there will also be water balls – giant plastic bubbles to get in.
“We’ve focused a lot more on families this year,” he said.
The children’s area is free, except for the water balls.
There will also be about 20 vendors on site.
“We’ll have Caribbean food vendors,” Townsend said.
“We’ll also have apparel and jewelry, merchandise,” he added.
General admission to the festival for ages 12 and up is $10 for the early bird tickets, $15 for the advance tickets or $20 for tickets at the door. Children under the age of 12 are free admission.
VIP tickets are $30 and include access to the VIP tent by the main stage, front section viewing, free beer in the VIP tent from 5:30 to 7 p.m., two free drinks or beers, a food ticket and a souvenir lanyard.
“It’s just a big amazing laid-back day for the family,” Townsend said.
To purchase tickets, visit “ReggaeFest with Maxi Priest” online at: .eventbrite.com/.
Chairs, blankets, backpacks, coolers and outside food and drinks will not be permitted.
For more information, visit online at: facebook.com/dixieroadhouse.
The Dixie Roadhouse is at 1023 S.E. 47th Terrace.
Rockade is at 1023 S.E. 47th Terrace.