Three-Day Event Marks 26 Years of Supporting the Central Texas Food Bank
Austin, TX, April 10, 2019 – The Austin Reggae Festival returns for another year of celebrating great music and fighting hunger in Central Texas on Friday, April 19th through Sunday, April 21st, at Vic Mathias 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.
Last year alone, the festival raised more than 620,000 meals for Central Texans facing hunger, making it one of the Food Bank’s largest single fund- and food-raising events. Over the last five years, the Austin Reggae Festival has provided more than 2.2 million meals.
“The Austin Reggae Festival is a vital part of helping the Food Bank serve our neighbors in need,” said Derrick Chubbs, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “Despite our best efforts, Central Texas is facing a meal gap that leaves nearly 30 percent of our neighbors without food assistance in their time of need. Thanks to the generosity of festival organizers and attendees, the Food Bank will be able to bring nourishing food to thousands who might otherwise go without.”
A portion of the festival ticket price benefits the Food Bank. Patrons will also be able to make monetary or credit card donations to the Food Bank during the festival. The Food Bank can turn every dollar donated into 4 meals, so every donation helps in the organization’s efforts at serving nearly 46,000 people each week, one third of them children.
“Over the last decade, dub music fans coming to the Austin Reggae Festival each April have helped to raise more than $1,000,000 for the Central Texas Food Bank,” said festival producer Pat Costigan. “Helping those in need is a central theme of the music we celebrate at the festival and we are extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years to help Central Texans in need.”
For its 26th anniversary, the Austin Reggae Festival features another great lineup, with performances by Don Carlos, Mykal Rose, Freddie McGregor, Hempress Sativa, Baby Cham, Cocoa Tea, Jah9, Etana, General Smiley, Mau Mau, The Late Ones, Grimy Styles, Roots from the Clay, Lion Heights, and Starlighter. This year’s Master of Ceremonies will once again be Jah Ray.
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. Please check www.austinreggaefest.com for a list of what can and cannot be brought into the event.
When purchased in advance at www.austinreggaefest.com, general admission tickets are $15 for Friday, $25 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday. Three-day wristbands are $45 and are only available by advance purchase. Single-day tickets will be available at the gate Friday and Sunday for $20 and Saturday for $30. And on Sunday, tickets purchased at the gate are priced at two-for-one until 3:00 p.m. If you want to get closer to the action (and enjoy the music from a seat in the shade), consider VIP tickets priced at $95 daily for Friday and Sunday and $120 for Saturday.
Gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. The park closes at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. On Saturday only, a free shuttle bus will run from the TX DOT Riverside Campus at 150 East Riverside Drive to Vic Mathias Shores. A limited amount of free parking will be available in the TX DOT lots.
For the most current information on the Austin Reggae Festival, go to www.austinreggaefest.com or call the festival hotline at 512-684-2555. And be sure to follow the event’s social media channels:
https://www.facebook.com/AustinReggaeFest/
https://twitter.com/austinreggae
https://www.instagram.com/austinreggaefestival/
Press credential inquiries: austinreggaefest@gmail.com
