Reggae on the River.
Iconic reggae concert of Northern California.
https://youtu.be/IOnpmw9n16s?si=f3yW4bRb-yBvjLR0
Reggae on the River.
Founded in 1984, Reggae on the River is an iconic music festival in Humboldt County, California. Originally launched to rebuild the Mateel Community Center after a devastating arson fire, it evolved into a world-renowned cultural phenomenon blending Jamaican reggae with the region’s counterculture roots.The rich history of this legendary summer gathering is defined by several key eras:
The Origins (1984): After the old fireman’s hall in Garberville burned down, local organizers Nancy Shelby, Carol Bruno, and Jack Arthur launched the first festival at French’s Camp along the South Fork Eel River in Piercy. It was created by the community, for the community, and raised necessary funds to secure a new home for the Mateel Community Center.
The French’s Camp Era (1984–2005): For over two decades, the festival operated in the majestic setting of the redwood forests and Eel River. It hosted reggae royalty like Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Ziggy Marley, and Toots & the Maytals, cementing its status as the premier reggae event on the West Coast. The festival’s 20-year history even inspired a feature-length documentary in 2004.
Venue Relocations & Challenges: In 2006, financial and venue issues led to the festival moving away from its historic campground. Over the subsequent years, it experienced several hiatuses and venue shifts.
Triumphant Return to Humboldt (2024–Present): Through partnerships between Hot Milk Entertainment and the Mateel Community Center, the legendary event made an official return to the South Fork Eel River watershed, hosting its 36th annual celebration.For over four decades, the festival has championed a message of love, unity, and environmental consciousness. For more details on its philanthropic origins or to check dates and ticket availability for the current year, visit the Reggae on the River Official Site.To get a feel for the unique vibe and decades-long history of this celebrated festival, watch this vintage promo highlighting the artists and natural surroundings of Reggae on the River:
Cancellation woes:
In year’s past, much of the community of northern Mendocino and Southern Humboldt County was totally involved in “Reggae,” as locals simply called the festival. It had become a tradition to sign up for volunteer shifts or vendor spaces or offer whatever you could do to be a part of it every August. A rift among producers, the landlord, and others happened in 2006, so it moved down the river a short ways to a new site — and it also went through some other changes. But basically, it was still Reggae. It eventually returned to the original site, where it has stayed since. The locals depended on it, and so, as they say, “the show must go on.” Until this year.
With falling attendance, the Mateel Center was struggling to fund the event again, and so it brought in High Times to co-produce the annual festival.
And High Times blew it.
By the end of June, they had sold so few tickets they cancelled the event. One reason given is that they did not advertise it enough other than in their own publication. The “real” reason, according to trustworthy sources, is that they chose to hire their own out of town crews and not invite back the regular vendors, local volunteers, employees, and non-profit booths. High Times alienated those who had been the real “backbone” of the event, and who also depended on the income made each year at the festival. Hence, SoHum and the Reggae community stood up and said “no” to High Times, and nobody bought tickets.
“The Mateel Community Center is disappointed, shocked, and saddened regarding the cancellation of Reggae on the River 2019. We are feeling the pain of the community for the loss of local income and much more a tradition,” the community center’s Board of Directors said in a statement.
This further upset the hotels and businesses in the area who would suffer badly as a result of the cancellation. So the Mateel Center announced this past week that they will host a smaller version at the actual Community Center in the town of Garberville, featuring legends Toots and the Maytals. The show will go on! But it won’t be with High Times.
A Festival Unlike Any Other
Over the past 40 years, more than half a million people have made the pilgrimage to Reggae on the River to enjoy the river, the redwoods, the arts, the live music, the food, and the vibrant community. Attendees return year after year to be part of the festival’s unique spirit, experiencing unity, creativity, and connection that can only be found in Humboldt County. The festival continues to evolve while staying true to its roots, preserving its legacy as a West Coast reggae institution and a must attend event for fans of music, culture, and nature.
The come back:
MATEEL COMMUNITY CENTER PRESENTS
About Reggae on the River 2026
Reggae on the River is returning in 2026 to Humboldt County for three days of world-class reggae music, community celebration, and unforgettable experiences in one of Northern California’s most iconic natural settings. The festival will take place from August 14 through August 16 at the Humboldt County Line Ranch in Piercy, California, along the scenic banks of the Eel River.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this iconic celebration of music, community, and Humboldt County’s natural beauty.
We (Wildthingsbeads)- Jme and Guy - attended Reggae on the River for many years during the 1990s, and we watched it grow from a small unknown concert to the large, iconic world renown concert that it became. We closed our bead store and made the extended weekend event our business holiday, taking our son and our employees with us. Every year we met up with Charlotte and her team at the “Garden of Beadin” bead booth in the concert grounds, (good friends) and relaxed, enjoyed the music and the vibes. Good
In memory of Charlotte Silverstein who passed away recently.