06/18/2026
There are music festivals, and then there are community experiences. Ithaca Reggae Fest has become one of the most unique reggae gatherings in the Northeast - not simply because of the artists on stage, but because of the atmosphere it creates. Set along the shores of Cayuga Lake in Stewart Park, the festival blends reggae music with family-friendly activities, yoga, skateboarding, local art, food vendors, and environmental education, all while supporting clean water initiatives and Cayuga Lake conservation efforts.
Ithaca Reggae Fest director Russ Friedell discusses the festival's grassroots beginnings, Ithaca's deep reggae roots, and how the event grew into a community celebration centered on music, family, and Cayuga Lake conservation.