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Roots reggae to rock the junction

Kristina Eastham, Record contributing writer

Slightly Stoopid drew 7,000 to The Canyons last year. Pepper sold out Harry O’s.

Now the ski town gets the island music they clearly want to see in Park City.

Park City Concerts has organized a music festival not to be missed, drawing bands like Pepper, Collie Buddz, The Easy Star All-Stars, Eek-A-Mouse and The Dirty Heads for the first-ever Roots Rock Reggae Music Festival. The two-day festival, July 11-12, will take place at the Newpark Amphitheatre, a 3,000-capacity venue.

"I come out of television so my thinking tends to be bigger," Toby Martin of Park City Concerts said. "I really enjoy doing the local stages and really enjoyed it with Mountain Town Stages, but I love the idea of doing something big."

With the goal of creating festival, Martin and others toyed with the ideas of different genres of music. After seeing the success of reggae concerts at other venues, Martin decided on reggae.

"It just seemed obvious that ski towns are really kind of great markets for reggae," he said.

They built the lineup around the group Pepper, based on their successful show at Harry O’s and because Martin felt they "just have great energy."

Ticket prices for the event are set at $30 per day and are available through Smith Tix or at the door the day of the event. Two discounts are available; a $3 discount at the door with a can of Monster Energy Drink. Also coupons are available for $5 off at Best Buy with a code to use online when purchasing tickets through Smith Tix.

The event will also feature over 25 vendors, including Jamaican and Hawaiian food and a Chuck Wagon barbeque as well as Twisted Roots, a reggae-themed clothing store from Salt Lake.

Gates open at 11:30 a.m. for the all-ages event. Music will continue until between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m. each night. The presenting sponsor for the event is Budweiser, so Martin assures there will be "plenty of beer." Outside beverages, coolers and dogs are not permitted in the venue. However, the wristbands will be given and re-entry is allowed.

Kids under 6 are admitted free and locals are encouraged to ride the bus or carpool. Parking will be $7 and is somewhat limited.

For a full lineup and more information, visit parkcitymusicfestival.com.


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