This particular festival was originally established to encourage racial harmony. “There is a lot of racial discourse in our community. Reggae cuts across that,” Randy says. Of all the differing types of music, reggae seems to be the one genre that has the ability to touch everyone. The happy-go-lucky persona of island natives is very contagious. As at last year’s festival, diversity pales as people tune in to the uplifting reggae beat and clutter onto the pavement beneath the bandshell stage to dance.

You may be wondering how a man working from the Mayor’s office solicits the contacts necessary for compiling a strong line-up of performers to stage a musical festival. Don’t be fooled! Randy is no stranger to music or the islands. Through his many trips to the islands, his own DJ experience, and past festival coordination, he brings with him a solid knowledge of the reggae genre. He speaks very fondly of his first trip to Jamaica, where his first tour guide turned out to be a DJ. Since then, Randy has carried the name “DJ Rankin” which means “top dog”, given to him by this native Jamaican so many tropical vacations ago. (In case this sounds familiar…yes, this is the same “DJ Rankin” who hosts “Rankin’s World Beat Wednesdays” at The Vault.)

Randy is very pleased with the evolution and expansion of Harrisburg’s Caribbean Festival since that first festival in 1985 when Marley was the first (and, maybe, only) name that came to mind. Since then, Harrisburg has hosted reggae bands including Pato Banton, the Toots & Matals, Black Sheep, and the Reggae Cowboys. In recent years, the festival is expanding to include a Latin sound, as well.

In support of the local talent, the city offers festival exposure to introduce new bands in the area. This year’s newest addition will be the Cornerstone Reggae Band from Harrisburg. Returning this year will be Notchoma (a Ska band) and Noo Voo Doo, both of whom, Randy says, “Are really poised for national stardom!” As a matter of fact, Noo Voo Doo is slated as this year’s headliner, performing as the final act, following the Latin sounds of Allentown’s Conjunto Calle 4 (or 4th Street Band).

This year’s festival will be held on Saturday, August 15th from 2 pm to 8 pm in Reservior Park as part of the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation 1998 Reservoir Park Concert Series. The projected attendance stands at 3 – 5,000, which allows plenty of room for the audience to spread out, soak up a few rays of late-summer sunshine, or relax in the shade.

Randy King, alias, “DJ Rankin,” will be busy hosting the day’s events. You won’t find him draped in dread locks, but you may hear him slipping into a Caribbean dialect from time to time. His years of experience and interaction with the island natives and reggae circuit make for great conversation. You may not have an opportunity to catch him alone on festival day to hear his stories, but his passion for this event is obvious, even from beyond the bandshell. Randy is more than happy to share his passion for reggae and the ambiance of reggae-induced racial harmony with the entire Harrisburg community. See you there, Mon!