The Friends of Skateparks Foundation with PortCity Reggae Concert and Promotion presents the One People Reggae and Arts Festival at Festival Park, 345 Ray Street, on Saturday, Oct. 12. The event starts at 2 p.m. and the last performance will be held at 9 p.m. Performers for the event include Everton Blender, Inner Circle, Shuga, Determine, DHMI, Crucial, FIYA, RA Deal, DROPS DON and DJ Dimenition presented by Karma Culture. Inner Circle performs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. They are best known by their song “Bad Boys.”
Shuga will take the stage next, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Everton Blender’s music is associated with cultural anthems such as “Lift your head” and “Blend Dem.” He performs from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The lawn seats are $37.25 plus a $4.75 processing fee. The proceeds of this concert will support the creation of a state-of-the-art skatepark in Hope Mills. VIP tickets, called “Stage Door Left” are available, featuring a bar, wait staff, and tables and chairs. Stage Door Left tickets are $65.25 plus a $4.75 processing fee. Tickets are available for sale online at onepeoplereggaefestival.com.
Sponsors include the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, Necknotz. Nature’s Herbal Cabinet, Q98, Healy Wholesale, Magic 106.9, Sakara Holistic Center, Rock 103.5, Yellow Crayons, WFNC, and DaVille Skate Shop.
“The Friends of the Skateparks Foundation was established in 2013 to help communities over the Carolinas to develop the best skateparks that will bring many positive impacts to their communities. The mission is to promote skateboarding, increase participation, enhance the quality of skateboarding parks, and educate.
"We plan to accomplish our goals by collaborating with the best skateboarders, skatepark builders, at-risk community and our experienced industry partners. The purpose is quality public skateparks that can improve the quality of life of a community by providing alternatives for at-risk youth to focus their energy away from violence, property damage, drug use and crime,” according to Friends of the Skateparks Foundation press release.
Vendor opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Terry Grimble, Director, Friends of the Skateparks Foundation at 910-229-6602
“Experiencing these legendary bands and artists is quite thrilling and something that the residents of Cumberland County rarely get to enjoy. Bands of this caliber usually pass by Fayetteville for cities like Raleigh, Asheville, or Wilmington. Reggae promotes peace, love, and harmony,” Grimble said.
The Art Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is supportive of his concept and he was awarded a grant of $7,350 for the festival.
“We are excited to support the One People Reggae and Arts Festival, benefiting the Friends of Skateparks Foundation. The festival aims to enrich our community by creating a sense of community around music and increasing cultural tourism to our region. This Project Support Grant funded event is an investment that aligns perfectly with our mission to boost art programming in Cumberland County,” states Michael Houck, Director of Grants and Allocations.
Tourism is a major economic tool for North Carolina. According to North Carolina Department of Commerce, travel spending in 2023 was 35.6 million dollars, the percentage increase was 6.9 percent. DistINCty Fayetteville reported 667 million dollars in Cumberland County, an increase of 10% since 2022.
“Skateboarding and reggae music are two of my biggest passions in life. I started skateboarding in 1978 at the age of 7 when I lived in Hope Mills. Skateboarding is not only a sport, but also an art form, lifestyle, and culture. Reggae music is part of the skateboarding culture thanks to bands like Bad Brains, Fishbone, and the Clash,” Grimble said.
“I started my first skatepark project in 1989 in Fayetteville. In 1991, I started producing live music shows to raise money for that project. I formed a reggae band called Rhythm Tide. We played all over the region, and we even opened for the legendary band Culture at the Visulite Theatre in Charlotte.
"I went on to play in 2 other reggae bands, Streets Afire, and Give Thanks band. We had the honor of opening for Morgan Heritage and Inner Circle, respectfully, in Wilmington. I am an auxiliary percussionist, [I play] bongos, congas, djembe, bells, and blocks.
"Bringing a new and exciting reggae to Fayetteville is a dream come true for me. The cause is great, and Fayetteville needs it. We need the positive economic impact and more fun events for our community. We do not have an ocean to surf, nor mountain to ride but through skatepark building, we can create our own lifestyle with music included," Grimble said.
Festivities will be held at Festival Park on Oct. 12. The event begins at 2 p.m. and the final performance starts at 9 p.m. Do not miss this event. It is more than a concert, it is a celebration of dance, positive energy, unity, love and harmony. Tickets are available at onepeoplereggaefestival.com.