Get ready to groove to the rhythm of reggae, surrounded by the beautiful vibes of Jamaica at Reggae Jam Festival International 2024 - Reggae Park 420 Escape, Jamaica
Originating from Germany, the Reggae Jam Music Festival is making its way back to the roots of reggae music, and not only will the famed festival be returning home to Jamaica, June 14th and 15th 2024, but the location of this year's festival couldn't possibly be more appropriate!
Reggae Park 420 Escape
In the town of Wakefield, in Trelawny Parrish, Jamaica, Reggae Park 420 Escape is a breathtaking 62-acre property tucked into the lush hills of the island's interior, yet just a short forty-minute drive from the resorts, beaches and bars of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, and a short trip from the cruise ship ports of Falmouth and Montego Bay, and Montego Bay International Airport.
Reggae Park 420 Escape is an idyllic part of this beautiful island nation, with towering coconut palm trees and the meandering Martha's Brae River flowing through the property. But this gem in the rolling hills of the Jamaican inland also holds an historic energy that most visitors to Jamaica rarely, if ever get the opportunity to experience, because unlike Jamaica’s beautiful beachside resorts, Reggae Park 420 Escape gives visitors the unique opportunity to experience the truly cherished culture of the Jamaican people.
The land Reggae Park 420 Escape sits on holds the powerful historic energy of the local resident’s ancestors and what they endured that made Jamaica the pearl of the Caribbean that it is. Given the fact Jamaica does not have a museum dedicated to slavery, it is planned that over time that Reggae Park will highlight elements of Jamaica’s historic past, featuring the lifestyle of enslaved Africans upon whose backs the wealth of Jamaica was built.
I had the pleasure of meeting entrepreneur, philanthropist and owner of Reggae Park 420 Escape Dr. Donovan Forbes, while visiting Jamaica in 2017, and I was honored to be given a personal tour the property, as well as a deep discussion about not only his vision for the development of Reggae Park, but also his passion to give back to his home community.
When Dr. Forbes first acquired this breathtaking property in the Jamaican hillsides, he was well-aware of the historic and cultural significance his property holds. Formerly a sugar cane plantation, surrounded by miles of emerald tributary of the Martha Brae River, Reggae Park sits on the battleground site of the Maroon wars of Cudjoe’s Trelawny Town Maroons, who stood up to the British forces in the Cockpit Country. This battle ultimately forced the creation of a treaty ensuring the British could live in peace on the island, on the condition the Maroons were not to be disturbed.
Dr. Forbes explains, “the plan is to ‘Turn Culture into Capital’. For Jamaica’s Reggae culture to have a competitive advantage in the global music industry, we must develop the right infrastructure by infusing the latest in entertainment infrastructure and security technology. At the Reggae Park, we are doing just that”.
Dr. Forbes goes on to say, “Jamaica is rich in heritage and culture, and we at Reggae Park intend to capitalize on the richness of our heritage and the strength of our culture in marketing the Park to Jamaicans as well as our visitors who travel to our island to experience Jamaica as a whole and not just our beaches and our hotels”.
According to Dr. Forbes, the vision for Reggae Park is much greater than just a stand-alone music and cultural facility, because the plan is to help redevelop the surrounding communities which met their demise with the death of the sugar plantations and factories on which they had historically depended to eke out an existence. The idea is to also help enrich the lives of those in the community in which Reggae Park resides, by sharing their art, musical talent and local culinary expertise, in addition to employment opportunities.
Dr. Forbes explains, “we are going to showcase the culture and gastronomical skills of the community, that has supported them over these hundreds of years, their historic jerked pork, chicken, fish and other foods; their natural cane, mango, ortanique, orange, coconut and other juices in addition to their world class Scotch Bonnet peppers, their art, and their agriculture”.
Reggae Park 420 Escape is truly a deeply Jamaican experiential destination, and everyone who visits will undoubtably have an experience they will carry for a lifetime.
The Birthplace of Reggae Music
Jamaica has a rich musical history, with influences from African, Caribbean, and European traditions, and these influences combined to create a unique Jamaican sound that became the foundation for reggae. In the 1960s Jamaica faced significant economic and social challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and political unrest, and Reggae music provided a voice for the marginalized and oppressed, reflecting their experiences and aspirations.
Over time, reggae evolved into a global phenomenon, incorporating influences from other genres and spreading to other countries. However, Jamaica remains the spiritual home of reggae, and its roots and origins continue to shape the music's sound and message.
Of course, we cannot talk about Reggae and Jamaica without bringing up the legendary Bob Marley, who is widely considered the most influential reggae artist of all time. His music, with its socially conscious lyrics and soulful vocals, played a major role in popularizing reggae around the world and cementing Jamaica's status as its birthplace.
In addition to the Reggae Jam Festival's main performances at Reggae Park 420 Escape, organized guided tours of iconic reggae landmarks, such as the Bob Marley Museum and Trench Town will be provided giving an opportunity for visitors to explore the roots of reggae music and learn about Jamaica's role in shaping the genre.
“Hosting Reggae Jam International in Jamaica at Reggae Park 420 Escape would be a testament to the island's longstanding contribution to reggae music and its ability to create an atmosphere of pure joy, unity, and cultural appreciation. By promoting Jamaican culture, boosting tourism, and supporting the local economy, this festival would undoubtedly become a landmark event in the reggae calendar. I am confident that bringing Reggae Jam International to its rightful home will be met with enthusiasm and will further strengthen the reputation of both the festival and the incredible Jamaican music scene”. Bernard Lagemann – Reggae Jam International
The "420 Escape"
As Jamaica’s only approved “420 Friendly” music venue, Reggae Park 420 Escape allows for personal cannabis consumption, however sales of cannabis products will not be available at this year’s event. Though in the future, plans are in the works to develop on-site cultivation and cannabis dispensaries. Reggae Park 420 Escape caterers to all ages and personal preferences, so there are designated no-cannabis/no-alcohol areas throughout the park.
Jamaica is not only known as the birthplace of reggae music, but for decades Jamaica has held a “very high” (pun intended) ranking with the "cannabis tourist" as one of the best places in the world to visit.
In addition to the cultivation of some of the best-known strains in the world, cannabis runs very deep in the Rastafarian culture and in the history of Jamaica. Surely there will be no shortage of the finest Jamaican herb at this year’s Reggae Jam Festival, especially given “420 Escape” is in the name of the location. Deeply ingrained in Jamaican culture, cannabis is often used in religious and social ceremonies creating a more accepting and open attitude towards cannabis use in Jamaica than in many other countries.
High-quality cannabis strains that are native to Jamaica like Lamb's Bread from the Landrace strain, which is said to be the strain smoked by Bob Marley, to other well known premium Jamaican strains like Panama Red and Blue Mountain, grown in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, put Jamaica on the radar of cannabis tourists for many years due to the ideal growing conditions, and in the rolling hills of Reggae Park 420 Escape, you are likely to find the best Jamaica has to offer.
Reggae Jam International 2024 Artist Line-up
At Reggae Jam International 2024 you will immerse yourself in a celebration of reggae music like never before and the folks at Reggae Park 420 Escape are thrilled to bring a diverse lineup of artists, including some legendary names, to showcase the rich cultural heritage and vibrant sounds of reggae where Jamaican and European influences merge to create a truly unique celebration of music and culture.
The next Reggae Jam International Music Festival was originally planned for the summer of 2025, however, the folks at Reggae Park felt “it is crucial that we prioritize the preservation of Reggae music as it is a significant part of our culture”, and “due to the urgency of the situation and the availability of our famed Reggae icon and messenger, Burning Spear, we decided to move the event to 2024”.
For tickets to attend this historic event, featuring of couse Burning Spear on June 15th, along with some of the hottest names in reggae, on either June 14th or June 15th, or both, click the image below, or simply follow this link. https://www.reggaejam-international.com/
On behalf of the team at Reggae Park 420 Escape we wish you joyful travels and we can't wait to see you, and to share an unforgettable experience at Reggae Park 420 Escape for Reggae Jam International 2024.
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