The Westchester Reggae Festival returns on June 1 after a one-year absence. Featuring Etana, Leroy Sibbles, Yellowman and Queen Ifrica, it takes place at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York.

Andrea Bullens, founder and organiser of the event, told Observer Online that, “The lineup for this year’s show has a little something for everyone.”

It will be the fifth staging of the Westchester Reggae Festival. In September 2023 when the show was last held, it had Mikey Spice, Third World and Luciano as headliners.

While the venue is located in an area with a traditionally-strong Jamaican/West Indian presence, Bullens said one of her team’s objectives is to reach a diverse audience.

“We want to appeal internationally to all reggae lovers. The venue is located in White Plains, and although there is a large Caribbean or community of colour, there is also an international community that is familiar with some reggae,” she noted. “Here’s an opportunity to introduce them to others right in their backyard.”

The Westchester Reggae Festival was first held in August 2019 and featured I Three members Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt. COVID-19 forced a cancellation in 2020, but the event returned in November 2021 with jazz pianist Monty Alexander as special guest.

In 2022, Griffiths was the headliner along with Sibbles and Johnny Osbourne.

Derrick Barnett and the Statement Band will back the artistes for this year’s show.

– Howard Campbell