- Austin Reggae Festival set for April 14 – 16
- Three-day event helps fight hunger in Central Texas
- Festival has raised nearly 2.5 million meals over the last 5 years
Austin, TX, April 10, 2017 –
The Austin Reggae Festival returns for its 24th year of celebrating great music and fighting hunger in Central Texas this Friday, April 14th through Sunday, April 16th, at Auditorium Shores. The three day festival benefits the Central Texas Food Bank, allowing the Food Bank to provide meals to thousands of Central Texans facing hunger and helping to close a “hunger gap” that leaves nearly 30 percent of our neighbors who are at risk of hunger without food assistance in their time of need.
Last year alone, the festival raised more than 330,000 meals for Central Texans facing hunger, making it one of the Food Bank’s largest single food and fund raising events. Over the last five years, Reggae Fest has provided nearly 2.5 million meals.
“The Reggae Festival is a key event for helping the Food Bank serve people in need. It provides us the means to refill our warehouse just prior to the summer season when so many children, seniors and families struggle with hunger,” said Derrick Chubbs, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “Thanks to the generosity of festival organizers and festival goers, the Food Bank will be able to bring nourishing food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, to thousands of our neighbors who might otherwise go without."
The Food Bank serves nearly 46,000 people each week, one third of them children. And despite their best efforts—more than 31 million meals provided last year—more people are turning for help to the Central Texas Food Bank and its Partner Agencies every day.
A portion of the festival admission fee benefits the Food Bank. And although additional donations are not required for entry, patrons are encouraged to bring two cans of food and/or donate cash at the entry gates. The Food Bank can turn every dollar donated into 4 meals, so every donation helps.
“The Austin Reggae Festival believes strongly that helping those in need in our community is a central theme of the music we celebrate each April at Auditorium Shores,” said festival producer Pat Costigan. “We also believe strongly in the Food Bank’s fight against hunger in Central Texas and we are proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years to help Central Texans in need.”
2017 headliners include Jesse Royal, Tarrus Riley, and Akae Beka. Other dub acts include Lady Shacklin & Jah Souljahs Roots Band, Micah Shalom & the Babylonians, Az One, Black Slate, Lion Heights, River City All Stars, and Mau Mau Chaplains. There will also be a large market area offering clothes, jewelry and other great gift ideas from around the world, as well as several food vendors cooking up dishes from around the world and a selection of local craft brews.
General admission tickets to Austin Reggae Festival are just $15 per day or $40 for a 3 day pass if purchased in advance at www.austinreggaefest.com. Single-day tickets will be available for $20 at the gate. New for 2017 is the VIP Pass, which allows entry to the Chill Zone (immediately adjacent to the west side of the stage), which is equipped with chairs, a cash bar, rest rooms and lots of shade. A VIP Pass also includes one-day admission to the event, as well as a 2017 t-shirt. VIP Pass prices are $75 for Friday; $115 for Saturday; and $75 for Sunday. Attendees who have already purchased a ticket and want to upgrade to a VIP Pass can email austinreggaefest@ gmail.com for info on how to make that change.
Gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday and the park closes at 10 p.m. each night.
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ABOUT THE CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK
The mission of Central Texas Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Founded in 1981, the Food Bank provides food and grocery products through a network of nearly 250 Partner Agencies and nutrition programs, serving nearly 46,000 people every week. Headquartered in Austin, the Food Bank serves 21 counties in Central Texas, an area about twice the size of Massachusetts. For more information on the Food Bank and its programs, visit centraltexasfoodbank.org.
