Organisers of Reggae Sumfest are claiming success in this year’s production which culminated in Montego Bay last weekend.

For head honcho, Josef Bogdanovich, the event was “exceptional on so many levels”. He pointed to production on the final two nights of the eight-day festival, as well as the diverse patronage, as high points.

“When you looked, there were all sorts of people here to enjoy great reggae and dancehall music, as well as Jamaica. This is a great thing for the music and the country,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Sumfest opened on Sunday, July 15, with the traditional beach party, followed by a street dance on Monday; the all-white party on Tuesday at Pier 1; and the all-black Blitz session at Hard Rock Cafe on Wednesday. Thursday saw the first Inspire Awards as well as the Sound Clash. Another new event was the Reggae Symposium last Friday, leading into two nights of performances at Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre. Reggae Sumfest 2018 closed with the morning after breakfast party at Dump up Beach in Montego Bay on Sunday morning.

“The numbers this year were similar to last year and we are pleased with that. We are proud that the experience was classy, thanks to our innovations such as the GraceKennedy Food Court, the Sumfest Mall which was a hit as people were able to buy great Jamaican-made items. There were also strong performances… some people are saying this is the best performance Junior Gong has given in his life… that’s what people are saying but it all went well for us,” said Bogdanovich.

He conceded there is work to be done to perfect his product.

“Service is still king and we have some work to do to get it. It’s nothing too serious but it is still critical if we want to have a festival of international standards,” he stated.

Among the acts who performed on Saturday and Sunday were Beres Hammond, Maxi Priest, Bounty Killer, Spice, Cham, Jesse Royal, J Boog, Stonebwoy, Ding Dong, Agent Sasco, I-Octane, Sizzla, Fantan Mojah as well as Montego Bay acts Teejay, Rygin King and Tommy Lee.