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It's almost become a tradition for Alec Frith.
Each of the last three years, he and some buddies from his hometown in eastern Canada pack their bags and hit the road for a tour of some American music festivals. This weekend's stop: Reggae Rising.
”It's the place to be,” Frith said. “We come because we're really into the music.”
Reggae Rising kicked off Friday morning and, from all indications, things were going smoothly as thousands began descending on Dimmick Ranch, located just south of Garberville, for the three-day festival. Officials expect a crowd of about 14,000 when the event reaches its peak Saturday.
”It seems to be going pretty good, pretty quiet,” said Officer Erik Van Emmerik of the California Highway Patrol, adding that there are, and will continue to be, some additional CHP officers on U.S. Highway 101 this weekend.
Undersheriff Mike Downey said the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office will have a command van set up at the festival site, which will be staffed throughout the weekend by two to four deputies and a sergeant.
”We've got 15,000 people there, so we've got a small city going,” Downey said, adding that his office has a contract with the festival organizers in which they have agreed to reimburse the department for overtime expenses and associated vehicle costs. “It's really a special event. It doesn't fall under the purview of normal duties of the sheriff's office, so
Downey, who has worked with Reggae Rising, and Reggae on the River before it, for 24 years, said he doesn't expect there to be any problems associated with this weekend's festival.
”It's probably one of the best run festivals I've been a part of,” he said.
The festival will feature more than 30 live musical performances and offerings from a couple dozen craft vendors and a variety of food booths run by nonprofit organizations. While the festival's sun, food and carefree atmosphere draw people, like Frith, from all over the continent, it's the music that's the prime attraction, with headliners such as Luciano, Toots and the Maytals and Gentleman, along with traditional reggae stalwarts Original Wailers, Marcia Griffiths and Freddie McGregor.
Festival organizers announced a last-minute scheduling change Friday, moving Toots and the Maytals into the last slot in Saturday night's lineup, where they are scheduled to play from 12:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday.
Friday afternoon, David Garnica was simply busy taking it all in. Having come from San Diego for the event, this was Garnica's first Reggae Rising, and his first trip to Humboldt County.
”It's very green, and very nice,” Garnica said as the music of Bobby T and the Magical Voyagers echoed throughout the river valley.
Times-Standard Entertainment Editor Chris Durant contributed to this report.
Thadeus Greenson can be reached at 441-0509 or tgreenson@times-standard.com.
