This summer the Calgary International Reggae Festival (ReggaeFest) will be inviting some newcomers to Calgary to celebrate the sounds and cultures of Reggae together. The festival kicks off August 18 at noon at Olympic Plaza with a free noon hour concert followed by a free evening workshop and documentary movie screening in the community of Deer Ridge.

Under the banner of ‘Uniting Cultures through Reggae Music’, the annual festival is offering complimentary passes to new Calgary families and some financially challenged families who may want to join in the celebration.

“Initially, we were discussing tickets to just refugee families, to try to help integrate them into the fabric of our city’s mosaic, but we understand we’re also in a tough economy, and still have many new families moving to our city,” says ReggaeFest producer Leo Cripps. “What better way to help out and show Calgary’s spirit of giving than to invite them to come and enjoy some of the city’s festivities,” Cripps continues.

The festival will be sponsoring up to 50 families to the paid event on August 19 and 20 at Shaw Millennium Park.

Last year ReggaeFest suffered a major financial set back due to bad weather and was in major doubt if there would be a festival this year. Through the generosity of its supporters, the festival is set to present an incredible line up of performers. On August 19 and 20 Shaw Millennium Park will come alive with Reggae sounds from across Canada, Colombia, Ghana, the United States and Jamaica

“We are excited to share our event with people who are new to the city,” says ReggaeFest VP, Tara Andrews. “We have already offered tickets through several cultural communities and will be offering more through several local charities and cultural organizations.”

ReggaeFest is a not-for-profit society celebrating its 13th year and is supported by all three levels of government.

For tickets, more information and interviews and please visit www.ReggaeFest.ca or email crfinfo@reggaefest.ca.