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WESTERN BUREAU
The countdown to the 32nd staging of Jamaica’s premier music festival, Reggae Sumfest 2025, got going on Wednesday night with an official media launch party at Iberostar Rose Hall in Montego Bay, St James.
In speaking about the rich history and global impact of the annual event, scheduled for July 13 to 19 and featuring major acts such as dancehall giant Vybz Kartel and American R&B songbird Toni Braxton, businessman Joe Bogdanovich, Downsound Entertainment’s chief executive officer, said the event is more than just a music festival.
“Reggae Sumfest has never been just about the stage show, it is a movement, a full experience, a celebration of our culture, our resilience and our people,” Bogdanovich said. “Sumfest is a platform that supports the local economy, from hotels to transport operators, to small businesses. It drives tourism, it creates jobs, and it reminds the world that Jamaica isn’t just the home of reggae and dancehall, we are the home of world-class talent, unmatched vibes, and a spirit you can’t find anywhere else.”
Donovan White, Jamaica’s director of tourism, said the festival, which has had the support of the Jamaica Tourist Board since its inception in 1993, continues to make a major economic impact, attracting scores of visitors to the island annually.
“In 2024, international visitors made up approximately 43 per cent of the ‘Sumfest week’ audience, contributing an estimated US$25 million to the local economy,” said White. “These figures represent more than statistics; they translate into employment, full hotel rooms, busy restaurant, active taxis and thriving craft markets.”
Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon, who again declared the week of the festival “Sumfest week”; Sean Wallace, head of commerce at long-time sponsor Red Stripe; and MP Homer Davis, speaking on behalf of Culture and Entertainment Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, all emphasised the festival’s growing role in boosting tourism and supporting the local economy.
In her message, Grange also paid tribute to the late Robert ‘Ducksie’ Russell, one of the founders of Reggae Sumfest, who died in December of last year, hailing his pioneering work alongside the other founders.
In his presentation, Bogdanovich paid tribute to Russell – arguably the face of the festival before acquiring the franchise and becoming its front man – concluding with a video that highlighted Russell’s business acumen and his contributions to entertainment and culture.
At the end of the formal presentations, attendees – clearly in a festive mood – were treated to live performances by reggae artistes Laden and Bugle, and Montego Bay’s dancehall star Tommy Lee Sparta, giving them a chance to dance and sing along.
The festival will kick off on Sunday, July 13, with a Family Funday at Catherine Hall Stadium, followed by a Street Dance at the same venue on Monday, July 14; the ‘All White’ party at Pier One on Tuesday, July 15; Blitz on Wednesday, July 16, at Catherine Hall Stadium; Global Fete (sound systems) on Thursday, July 17, also at Catherine Hall Stadium; and Festival Nights One and Two on July 18 and 19, respectively, at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre.
English (US) ·