IT was not all about music at the Rebel Salute show at Richmond Estate in St Ann last Friday. Dozens of vendors took the opportunity to sell their wares and cash in.

“I have been following stage shows like this for about eight years and I travel from Kingston yearly; the profit worth the journey,” said snack vendor Winsome Taylor. “I sometimes have to pay to get in a venue but it doesn’t matter if my goods are sold off.”

As she sold a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum for $100 ($50 more than the retail price), Taylor told the Sunday Observer that she takes time from her dress-making job to ‘juggle’ her goods at parties and shows like Rebel Salute.

“The parties in Negril, Rebel Salute, Jazz and Blues (Festival) and (Reggae) Sumfest is a must for me. Tourist not afraid to spend their cash to buy,” she said.

According to Taylor, a good night sees her bringing in as much as $12,000.

A number of vendors manned their stalls at Rebel Salute. They pitched everything from snacks to pan fish, soup and craft items.

Friday’s opening night was smaller than previous years but there were impressive performances from Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley, John Holt, Duane Stephenson, Chuck Fenda, Peter Metro, Bunny Wailer and Kabaka Pyramid.

However, there were a few glitches. Some patrons complained about the lengthy band changes.

“The organisers need to come up with a strategy where each band change doesn’t take for more than five minutes. This may come off as expensive but revolving stages should be taken into consideration for future shows, said London resident Eroll Heckles.

Rebel Salute was scheduled to end this morning.