Dreadheads Welcome- Reggae Festival Review

Long live the red, green and yellow.

Saturday and Sunday marked the second annual Reggae Fest at The Reggae Bar located at 2016 Austin Hwy 78218. The festival included cultural vendors, food, and of course music from local bands as well as special guests like Squidly Cole, who played with the reggae king Bob Marley.

The vendors were selling everything from hair pieces to ethnic Caribbean food. It was a laid back event and people spent a lot of time sitting, eating, and chatting with friends when they weren’t browsing merchandise or dancing.

The music included and appearance by special guest and Grammy Award winner Wilburn “Squidly” Cole, who played with the legendary Bob Marley in Jamaica. Both children and adults got up to dance to the easy going and rhythmic sounds of local bands.

The smell at the festival resembled dirty armpits and sweat, and mosquitos were biting everyone outside, but no one complained; adults were still dancing and kids were still playing.

All the vendors were local and everyone seemed interested in the reggae themed shirts, hair accesories, food, jewelery and instruments for sale as well as coming out for the music.

Aside from all the shopping available, attendees could get their faces painted and hair braided for free as well as talk to new people and learn how to dance with a hula hoop-which closely resembles interpretive dance.

The next Reggae Fest won’t be until next year, but The Reggae Bar has live music every weekend and special concerts, like their Lady G concert which will include food and vendors as well as a concert, held on Nov 24.