Lower Keys Music Fest; 2nd Annual Reggae Fest

It was a beautiful, sunny, perfect spring day for the Lower Keys Reggae Fest hosted by the Edward B. Knight Scout Reservation known to the locals as Camp Sawyer and the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce.

The event took place on the ocean side grounds at mile marker 34 with gates opening at 12:00 p.m. Guests were invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the "rhythmic roots reggae fusion" of dynamic and energetic Mixed Culture, a powerful rhythm-driven band with its message of making the world a better place through hard work with its sweat-fueled reggae rhythms and bilingual streams of consciousness. Their love for Reggae Music and their musical talents brought them together to create their distinctive sound.

Following Mixed Culture was Code Red, hailed for its award-winning roots reggae sound, not only are they an awesome show band but are dedicated to the music and their work ethics. Code Red is dangerously talented and is one of the most sought after bands emerging out of South Florida. Closing out the 2nd Annual Reggae Fest was Fourth Dimension, masterful reggae musicians known for their dynamic harmonies, Spanish-English edge, orchestrated arrangement and guitar riffs. Specializing in innovative reggae with uplifting power, the four-piece band has shared the stage with such musical luminaries as Bob Dylan, Mos Def, UB40, Maxi Priest and Steel Pulse.

The festival featured the Chamber's signature Jamaican Rum Punch, Bahama Mamas as well as homemade Cuervo Margaritas and a variety of other beverages to suit everyone's taste served by Directors, Erica Rodriguez, of Chicago Title of the Florida Keys; Cece Williamson, of the Big Pine Boys and Girls Club; Abby Oglesbee, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate and volunteers Sidney Owen, our own professional bartender and Jose Rodriguez, another smooth bartender.

This year, commemorative Reggae Fest T-Shirts were offered for sale by volunteers Tammy & Scott Bringle of Royal Plus. Manning the Budweiser Beer truck were Nancy Oleinik & Lang Godfrey of All Keys Gas and Karen Nazzaro of Keller Williams Realty where the big hit of the day was Aruba Red. Many thanks to smooth DJ Steve Miller and Chamber President Terry Strickland who emceed the event and Chamber staff Sandy Whetzel and Joan Herzing along with volunteers Anna Baird of First State Bank; JoAnn Saunders, Chelsea Howard and Roxanne Koval of Centennial Bank; and Mary Maleski, Big Pine resident who sold tickets, checked ID's and attached wristbands to attendees. A big thank you to Alison Sloat of Key West Key Lime Pie Company and Ron Maleski, Big Pine resident for their superb parking directions for attendees and on Security Duty were Captain Jim Sharpe, Jr. and Matt Vercher of South Florida Council BSA and Camp Sawyer.

All in all it was a terrific day of beautiful Keys weather, fantastic reggae and we wish to thank our major sponsors Pepsi Refreshment Services for their in-kind donations of Pepsi Mobiles, sodas and water and Waste Management for their donation of port-a-lets, a recycle bin and a dumpster; Floridakeys.com, AT&T The Real Yellow Pages, The News Barometer, Centennial Bank; Pirate Wellness Center, Chicago Title of the Florida Keys, Budweiser, StrikeZone Charters and The Florida Keys & Key West, Monroe County Tourist Development Council "Come As You Are".

Contributing Sponsors include Abby Oglesbee, Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate; All Keys Gas Service; Big Pine Key Resort Motel; Davestime Painting & Carpentry; Ed & Ellen's Lodgings & Reservation Services and Isaksen Insurance. Thank you to our volunteer Captain Lenny Svetin of Florida Sea Base-Brinton Environmental Center for keeping the generator running, StrikeZone Charters', Larry, Mary & Gayle for donating the generator; A special thank you to Matt Vercher for the use of the very beautiful Camp Sawyer and all twelve Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce Directors who helped bring this event to the Lower Keys by marking fields, setting stages, hauling ice, set up, breakdown and working the entire event.

For information about the reggae fest and accommodations in the Lower Florida Keys, call the chamber at (305) 872-2411 or (800) 872-3722, or visit the Florida Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com.