THE two-day Stepping High Ganja Festival ended on an intoxicating note Sunday with pulsating performances at Cayenne Beach in Negril.
The event not only featured performances from Toots and the Maytals, and Kabaka Pyramid, but displays of marijuana products and craft items which lined numerous booths, as well.
Kim Connell, the event’s publicist, said feedback is encouraging, despite lack of sponsorship.
“People are saying they’re now seeing the vision of Stepping High Ganja Festival. Some business and overseas persons indicated that they would want to be part of it next year as they were able to see what we’re about: friendship, family, community, and love. That’s our values,” she told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.
Connell described the festival’s education segment as critical.
“We were able to bring out a lot of ideas like the Ital Standard. Just like kosher for the Jewish community, the Ital Standard would be the best growing standard, and it can only come from Jamaica. We’re trying to stress quality over quantity.”
Dub poets, highlighting the qualities of ganja and the value of natural food, created an early buzz.
The tempo lifted with the appearance of seasoned roots campaigner Fred Locks, who reeled off renditions of Dennis Brown’s songs such as Inseparable and Have You Ever Been in Love, before going into his classic, Black Star Liner.
Things reached a crescendo with the introduction of Kabaka Pyramid, a member of the much-touted roots-reggae revival.
He delivered Never Gonna be A Slave, Well Done, Rastaman A Foundation, among others, to deafening screams and cheers.
Earlier, Dann-I connected with the modest-sized audience through Time Nuh Wait, Put In The Work, and Put Another Reggae Pon Top.
Alexandria Love did an impressive set, thrilling patrons with Flying With Ego, Take it Easy With The Crime and Blue Skies.
Lutan Fyah brought an end to the 14th Stepping High Ganja Festival.
