Reggae on the River Release & Lineup 8/4-8/6

Twenty-Third Annual Reggae on the River

August 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2006



Humboldt County, CA., January 4, 2006: The Mateel Community Center Inc. and People Productions are pleased to announce that the world renowned reggae music festival, Reggae on the River, just got better, and a little bit bigger. For twenty-two years this well organized event has been the financial lifeblood for many local non-profit organizations, volunteer fire departments, and local businesses, each having come to depend on the income generated by it. “For the Salmon Creek Fire Department (SCFD) it provides up to 99% of our operational expenses for the year. Without this income we wouldn’t be able to continue,” said Dan Gribi – SCFD. The festival also provides a substantial portion of the monies that support the Mateel Community Center’s annual programs, which build support for the arts and music locally, drawing a wide variety of participants and community members.







2006 Artist Lineup:



•Ziggy Marley

•Stephen Marley

•Sly & Robbie

•Ozomatli

•Anthony B

•Don Carlos

•Sean Paul

•Dezarie

•Ikahba

•Sizzla

•Gyptian

•Warrior King

•Michael Franti & Spearhead

•Elan

•Bunny Wailer

•Baby Cham

•Barrington Levy

•Sanchez

•Heavyweight Dub Champion

•Ishi Dube

•Jade Steel

•Alfred Howard & The K23 Orchestra

•Luna & Moese Angel

•Wisdom

•Salif Keita

•K'naan

•Gidigidi Majimaji

•Subliminal Sabotage

•SOJA



3 Day Festival Pass $165.00



Plans for the “new and improved” Reggae on the River began immediately following last year’s event, with the submission of an amended permit application for the festival site that now includes an additional 80 acres on the Dimmick Ranch.



After six months work on the plans with the Humboldt County Planning Department and the many federal and county agencies required for compliance, the plan is approaching completion and we are excited to share the details.



Some of the proposed changes you can expect this year will include:



* The main entrance will be moved to the Cook’s Valley exit (1/2 mile south of the former entrance at French’s Camp), eliminating the pedestrian crossing on Highway 101 at the Patriot Gas Station and increasing public safety.





* The concert bowl will be moved from French’s Camp to the larger Dimmick property, adding greater amenities and ambience for the concert attendees.



* The former concert bowl at French’s Camp will be converted into pre-reserved group camping. Parking and camping at the French’s Camp river bar remain the same and will be on a first come first serve basis. The only change will be the entrance into the camping, which will be through the new concert entrance.



* Pre-paid parking and camping will open again on Thursday, expanding upon the successful traffic congestion mitigation plan that was implemented in 2005 with the new Cooks Valley Camping Area.



* The new permit requests 3000 additional tickets over the course of 10 years. Increased revenue is imperative to enable the festival to keep pace with rising expenses and to insure the long-term stability for both the non-profits and business community at large that participate in ROTR.



* What will not change are the hours of music and general ambience for our guests who make the annual pilgrimage to ROTR. The music will run from Friday August 4th through Sunday August 6th.



All of the proposed changes were made in cooperation with government agencies, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and local fire departments. According to Lieutenant-Commander George Peck of the CHP, “The presence of the CHP resources, in addition to suggested event coordinated traffic control personnel and devices should lessen the traffic impact on US 101 as compared to previous years.” Vernon Callahan, Assistant Permits Engineer Caltrans District One concurs, “Entry and exist movements into the event site should show an improvement over past years. The new plan moves the entry/exist points south to a wider section of State Route 101. Allowing better traffic flow for normal traffic and less congestion entering the site. This will make it safer for pedestrians and shorten traffic stops for the motoring public.”



In support of ROTR, Dee Dower, Executive Director of the Garberville Chamber of Commerce said: “The Garberville Redway Area Chamber of Commerce is in support of ROTR because of its positive economic impact on our area. Many of the areas non-profits depend on proceeds gathered at the festival and business through out the community and county see a rise in customers and sales. People Productions, organizers of ROTR, have showed a continuing commitment to improve the impact of the festival on the community by providing a town patrol, shuttle service, and additional parking.”



For additional information please visit their website at:



www.reggaeontheriver.com