SUMMERFEST Promotions, the promoters of Reggae Sumfest, have indicated that despite the challenges facing the event, the annual festival will take place on July 18-24 at Catherine Hall, St James. The organisers are also appealing to stakeholders to work with them in finding creative solutions to the challenges to stage the 18th edition of the “reatest Reggae festival on earth”.

Johnny Gourzong, executive producer of the festival cites reduced sponsor support and increased production and artiste fees as some of the challenges being faced. He said, “Reggae Sumfest is important to Jamaica’s tourism and impacts positively on the economy and despite reduced sponsorship, we decided it was important to beat the odds and host the festival this year.”

Traditionally Reggae Sumfest has hosted a mixture of local and international acts that has distinguished the event as an eclectic mix of good music and performers. In light of the fiscal challenges organisers gave great consideration to omitting international acts for this year’s Festival. Stakeholders agreed that international acts should be included on this year’s lineup as the mix of genre and cultures is the essence of the event and such a cut back would adversely affect the marketability of the show.

Reggae Sumfest has traditionally featured top reggae and dancehall performers, but hip-hop and rhythm and blues acts like Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Ja Rule, Boyz II Men and Lionel Richie have appeared.