Reggae Rising 2009 - Non Fish - Non Yak - But a TON of fun!

So I've told a bunch of people about the Reggae Rising Music Festival (used to be 'on the river') held annually in Humboldt county on the Eel River and I thought I would share the experience (as I would any other report on trips I have taken).   

For those of you with no idea what this is, its like a mini Reggae Woodstock where people camp along the river and  listening to over 30+ live performances in three days.  Many of these performers would pack a night club wall to wall on a normal Friday night, but here you get a chance to see them all back to back!  (More Info: http://www.reggaerising.com/)

Arrived on Wed night, to get in line at midnight to be let in the campground at 6AM where we spent about 3-4 hours sneaking in past security to setup or tents and camp ahead of the let in time.    

Eventually we are let in, and you get setup for the day and just chill Thursday and wait for the concert to begin Friday (basically we were up for about 26 hours straight before passing out for the rest of the Thursday).  Then its mostly non-stop party action down at the river, in the concert bowl, at the camp ground, and just about anywhere you can walk in this place. If you have the energy, there is something to see just about all night long!

Much of our time was spent walking around shopping, talking, drinking and partying with just random people all over the place.  When the heat of the day is unbearable most people run down to float in the river and drink beer while floating from campsite to campsite.  Its just awesome    Then of course there is the kick ass performances where you can dance your ass off for as long as your legs can stand it.   

The food they sell there, though on the $$$ side, can be quite good!  They have all the favorite ethnic cuisines you could want, plus we made some simple meals back at camp.  But the things like lamb and beef gyros, indian tacos, thai noodles, pot stickers, fried bananas, garlic fries, etc/  were just off the hook! 

  Reminds me of a NCKA event!!! 

Anyway here are the pics, which will take a while to attach all of them, so be patient 

People

More Peops!

I've always wanted to go to this. I heard the lineup this year :Toots & maytals, Gregory Isaacs, too many other awesome artists to remember.
Thanks for the pics & story!

"Let he who is thirsty drink clear water." Jah Rastafar I!

And no report from me would be complete without a bunch of food pics  

Your an animal!

I think I just fell in love with the girl in the white shirt from the first pic. 


Solar bong dude is awesome, too.


Thanks for sharing, Al! 

oh this is a fun time...

They have all the favorite ethnic cuisines you could want, plus lots of Mushrooms if i remember correctly from the old days.

And no report from me would be complete without a bunch of food pics  

Nice!

These pictures reminded me of the 60's    Thanks for sharing Al.

I take it this is like Reggae on the River.  I lived in Humboldt County for seven years.   I never made it down to Garberville but always wanted to.    Sounds like lots of fun.   I think one of the guys I work with now is part of this festival.   Maybe next year I can sneak over and see it.   Looks like lots of fun.   

I take it this is like Reggae on the River.  I lived in Humboldt County for seven years.   I never made it down to Garberville but always wanted to.    Sounds like lots of fun.   I think one of the guys I work with now is part of this festival.   Maybe next year I can sneak over and see it.   Looks like lots of fun.   

It technically is Reggae on the River, despite the name change its the same thing at the Dimmick Ranch in Piercy, CA.  It's a lot of fun, even for a one day trip!

Thanks for the report, Al. I went to that festival along with many others around the state for about 7 or 8 years straight in my late teenage years to around mid twenties. From San Diego to Humboldt, we would go to all the major festivals, but it would mainly depend on which artists were being showcased. Even went to a festival in Hawaii in '05. Lot's of fun times and good memories. I have friends that went this year as well (ROTR). Good to hear you had a blast.

Great report, Al.  I was thinking of all the Reggae Revellers while we whomped on big fish and abs right over the hill in Sinkyone.

Reggae marks the time each summer when we no longer go in the Eel River!   

That guy in "Bottle dudes 2" is my buddy from college, Ryan.  He's a great juggler and general magician.  Doesn't surprise me he'd be hanging out with the bottle balancers.