Festival to feature eight bands and the return of the Friday night “Reggae Rave,” outdoors on the Beach

CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine (March 19, 2012) – Sugarloaf’s Bud Light Reggae Festival, the annual spring party that draws thousands of spring skiing and reggae enthusiasts to the mountains of Maine, returns for the 24th year April 12-15, 2011 with eight bands and a the return of the popular “Reggae Rave.”

The Reggae Rave, first introduced last year, will run from 9pm-12am on Friday night on The Beach, and will feature dancehall reggae from Boston-based Renegade Sound Station, as well as professional lighting and sound, bringing the nightclub experience to the outdoors.

This year’s festival will feature headlining artist Castafari performing in the King Pine Room on Saturday night, as well as six hours of free outdoor music during the day on Saturday by CuLLu, Sixth Degree, and Dread Rocks. Reggae bands Pulse Prophets and Gorilla Finger Dub Band will also perform in the Widowmaker Lounge throughout the Festival.

Originally hailing from Jamaica, Castafari is a rising star on the US reggae scene, having shared the stage with artists including Busta Rhymes, Beenie Man, Elephan Man, and Capleton. Now based out of Boston, Castafari graduate from UMass Amherst with degrees in Communications and Theatre Arts, and has gone to work as a producer, artist, songwriter, and entrepreneur. Castafari is currently touring in support of his most recent album, “Just Life.”

Sugarloaf offers a number of different ticket and lodging options for guests throughout the weekend. For $39 guests can purchase the “Good Vibes Pass ,” which provides access to both the Friday night Reggae Rave and the Saturday headliner show in the King Pine Room. The Good Vibes Pass is the only pass sold in advance of Festival, and is available for purchase online now .

Tickets to the Reggae Rave and King Pine Room show will also be available at the door based upon availability, and will be $15 and $29 respectively.

The Reggae Rave, King Pine Room concert, and all Widowmaker Lounge shows are 21-plus only and proper ID is required. All outdoor shows on Saturday are free and open to all ages. No outside alcohol may be brought into any venue, and all bags and coolers are subject to search.

All-inclusive ski and stay packages are also available for Reggae Weekend starting as low as $129 per person per night, and include lodging, lift ticket, access to the Sugarloaf Sports and Fitness Center, and a Good Vibes Pass.

The springtime reggae festival got its start at Sugarloaf in 1988 as a way to celebrate the changing of seasons and enjoy the deep snow, warm sun, and classic spring skiing that the resort is famous for. Since that time the festival has grown into one of the most popular spring parties in ski country, drawing up to 10,000 reggae and spring skiing fans each year. In 2009 the festival was ranked as one of the “Top Ten Spring Bashes in North America” by Skiing Magazine, and was the only East Coast festival to make the list.

For more information on Sugarloaf and the Bud Light Reggae Festival, please visit www.sugarloaf.com/reggae .

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About the Sugarloaf Resort- Located in Carrabassett Valley, ME, Sugarloaf is largest ski area in the East, and is home to the only lift-serviced above treeline skiing and riding in the East and one of Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2010, Sugarloaf is a member of the Boyne Resorts family of resorts and attractions. Follow: www.sugarloaf.com , www.facebook.com/sugarloaf , and http://twitter.com/sugarloafmaine .