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Reggae! In Tennessee? Ya, mon! The town of Isabella, near the town of Ducktown in Polk County, has a good-sized population of accomplished reggae musicians and listeners, enough to organize and present an annual Reggae Festival in the Smoky Mountains. The festival takes place at Camp Reggae, located on Sassafras Ridge on the Tennessee/Georgia border. Nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains, on a 1,500 acre private retreat, Camp Reggae allows the spirit to fly free. The Smoky Mountains are magically beautiful in the spring. The nature preserve of Camp Reggae is vibrant with rhododendrons and mountain laurel flowers. The birds are returning to their musical courtship in the tops of the sassafras trees. Life is anew, let us celebrate with singing and the playing of music as our brothers the Indians once did on this very land. Bring your tent, your drum, blankets, open hearts, and positive minds. Oh, and your soccer shoes.
In addition to live reggae music, Camp Reggae features camping, hiking, and swimming on scenic mountain property. Camp Reggae takes place on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. The festivals are sponsored by Natti Love Joys. With roots that stem from the legendary greats such as Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals and Jimmy Cliff, the sound of The Natti Love Joys is a dynamic blend of reggae, modern rhythm and blues, drum and bass, hip hop, and various forms of jazz. This creative style of music gives way to a unique one of a kind sound that captivates and amazes its crowd show after show. Voices of the Congos, Natti Love Joys, Nadine Sutherland, Bunny Brown, Shaggie Williams, Mystic Vibrations, A.K.A. Rudie, Selah, and many more still echo through gentle woodlands. Suitable for large groups.
***This will be my first camp reggae. I hear the vibe is like no other. I can't wait to get out in the woods of the smokies for a few days.
Joel and I almost went to this 2 years ago, but chose all good instead. I have always wanted to hit Camp Reggae. Let me know how it is, they hold two per year.
Instead of dirt and poison, we have rather chosen to fill our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing mankind with the two noblest of things, which are sweetness and light.
Post by popsicle sarah on Aug 24, 2008 10:11:35 GMT -5
I will definitely let you know how it turns out. I have friends who have been before and they said that the land is beautiful and the vibe during the fest is amazing. I will definitely report when I get back.
As far as the camping... from the pictures I've seen you don't camp next to your car. It's a pretty small fest so I wouldn't think you would have to carry your stuff too far. I'll check with someone about this and get back to you! If you go we gotta meet up
Hey, you are right, no camping with your car. Marla emailed me that we can drop stuff at the camp site and then go park the car. I am going and I can't wait! Hope to see you there!
Instead of dirt and poison, we have rather chosen to fill our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing mankind with the two noblest of things, which are sweetness and light.
Instead of dirt and poison, we have rather chosen to fill our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing mankind with the two noblest of things, which are sweetness and light.
Post by popsicle sarah on Aug 31, 2008 23:38:59 GMT -5
Had to return home early from camp reggae today because of a work seminar I had to attend and it made me very sad because camp reggae is
AMAZING!!!
It was by far the smallest fest I've ever been to. We guesstimated about 200-300. The vibe was fabulous. You got to camp anywhere on the Natti Love Joy's land that you wanted. We were camped in the woods! I loved that! You can get to know sooo many people by name and you will run into them again and again. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. There was a real sense of family and community. A big thanks to the Natti Love Joys and their families for allowing us to live on their land for the weekend. They do it twice a year. Besides being an absolutely KILLER band they are so generous.
I HIGHLY recommend everyone make at least one trip to Camp Reggae. It will change your mind about festivals. I will definitely be going back next year on Memorial Day (they tend to have more people on Memorial Day weekend than Labor Day weekend... the record is 2000 people.)
*i like coconuts, you can break them open they smell like ladies lyin in the sun** *Hell I don't even know where I am** *for now I must sit here and ponder the yonder: The herbivores did well cause their food didn't never run** *We listen, if it feels good We shake** *You made a big impression for a girl of your size, Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes.**
Wow! Thank you SO much again popcicle sarah for the heads up about this tiny and great fest!!! Sorry I did not see you in your inforoo hoodie - We had a really wonderful time though. We were up at the rim of the "bowl"- Balcony seats! We were camped next to this cool guy who is writing a book about Jah-T and Marla . We really liked Mystic Dub too. Did you see or stop at Miss Bee's purple bus? It is a hippy store inside of a bus about 30 miles from the camp on 74.
Instead of dirt and poison, we have rather chosen to fill our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing mankind with the two noblest of things, which are sweetness and light.
Post by popsicle sarah on Sept 6, 2008 8:42:20 GMT -5
it never got cool enough to wear my hoodie, so that's why you never saw it!
we were camped down that trail as you come in the gate, take a left past the johns. we were about the 7th camp on the left.
I really loved all the music. I was super impressed at the calibur of acts. We were camped next to the guys from Ahead Band. They were fantastic. And of course the Natti Love Joys blew everyone away.
Didn't see the purple bus! Will have to look for it next year. Oh, and definitely going to get some people together next year to go white water rafting on the Ocoee.
Wowwee we were on that same little road off to the right next to the Alkie Pops guy. We got there Saturday morn and left noonish on Sunday. I guess we did not get to hear Ahead Band. Unless they played Saturday evening. Do you know who those guys were who played led zep and pink floyd on Saturday evening? They were really good but we did not catch their name. Were you wearing a green shirt on Saturday night? If so is this you in the background?
Instead of dirt and poison, we have rather chosen to fill our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing mankind with the two noblest of things, which are sweetness and light.
Post by stevensegal on Sept 8, 2008 14:47:16 GMT -5
Camp Reggae is always a great time. This past one was my 5th consecutive trip. Once you go you will not stop coming back. Memorial Day is always wilder than Labor Day, but the vibe is great at both. We were camped on top of the hill next to the shadow box.
Mrs. Spearit, Do you have more pics from the camp?
Wowwee we were on that same little road off to the right next to the Alkie Pops guy. We got there Saturday morn and left noonish on Sunday. I guess we did not get to hear Ahead Band. Unless they played Saturday evening. Do you know who those guys were who played led zep and pink floyd on Saturday evening? They were really good but we did not catch their name. Were you wearing a green shirt on Saturday night? If so is this you in the background?
yeah that was them playing saturday night. and no that's not me in the background. i was wearing a black pink floyd dark side of the moon tshirt and a long tyedye skirt saturday night. we had a big group hanging out at our camp playing with glow stick balls
Sarah - I love glowy things! I also love tyedye ,,, I SO would have fit right in at your camp! ; ) Do you think you will go to the next one in May ... so close to Bonnaroo and all? I am thinking this might just be something I need to continue to do! I thought it was cute how the people would say "Camp Reggae" like we do "Bonarooo!" . I will say it again ... beautiful place - beautiful people. StevenSegal - So, you have know about this fine little fest for five years? Lucky you! Yes, I will send you pictures. PM me with an email address.
Instead of dirt and poison, we have rather chosen to fill our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing mankind with the two noblest of things, which are sweetness and light.
Post by popsicle sarah on Sept 15, 2008 23:28:55 GMT -5
i'm going to try to go to both camp reggaes next year. not sure i'm going to bonnaroo. after hitting up some way smaller festies this year i think they are my preference. i dunno, the lineup could change my mind. we will keep in touch and def plan a meet up. i hear the attendance at camp on memorial day weekend is larger. i can't wait!
I agree - the smaller fests are best - I still love my Bonnaroo - but there was something so wonderful about my experience there at the camp - it reminded me of being 17, 18 and some old hippy friends in NC who often had weekend long parties to celebrate harvest or meteor showers or a homebirth or any excuse, where maybe 50 people showed up and camped all around in the woods. We had potluck dinners and homemade wine. Plenty of homespun corn -and a tad of corn liquor - lots of dancing and hugging and happiness. So thanks again Sarah for posting about my new favorite festival. Even my husband loved hearing about Camp Reggae. He mostly only goes to roo on Sunday when there are a little less people or he just comes in for a show or two. This year he didn't even go in all. But he is coming to CR with me in May! Hope to see you there and I will treat you to some homemade candy or hummus or something glowy.
Instead of dirt and poison, we have rather chosen to fill our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing mankind with the two noblest of things, which are sweetness and light.
Post by popsicle sarah on Sept 17, 2008 21:01:23 GMT -5
there's another small fest this weekend (short notice, i know). this one is to celebrate the fall equinox. it's up in red boiling springs, tn. here's the poster:
i've never been to one of the equinox fests up there, but i hear they get crazy. if you can't make it i will let you know how it is!
i'm glad you enjoyed camp reggae. i seriously think it was my favorite fest of the year. we gotta spread the word more next year and maybe get some more inforoo folks in on the action.
I may do one or both of the Camp Reggaes next year.
My wife and a friend may be going to this ^^^ Equinox festival. If they do, I will let you guys no what they said. I wonder about the vibe at these REALLY small, unknown fests. I guess it could be way better of way worse, depending. So far, no vibe I have seen beats Allgood.
Family Campout sounds super but I had company from Florida this weekend. Please post about it.Hope a good time was had by all.
My friend has a hotel and raft trip set up for next weekend on the Ocoee. His is guided and about 3 hours they said. I want to go unguided. I think so anyway.
Instead of dirt and poison, we have rather chosen to fill our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing mankind with the two noblest of things, which are sweetness and light.
Post by popsicle sarah on Sept 25, 2008 23:09:06 GMT -5
the equinox fest blew me away. it was very small (maybe 200) and had the most amazing vibe. we had a hard time finding the farm after getting stuck on a shut-down I-40 for several hours. we rolled up at the perfect time and got taken in by this really nice guy. he carried us and our stuff down to the campground in his truck and invited us to camp with him and his friends in VIP camping. it was one of those weekends that make you go "whewwww"
i met people that will hopefully be lifelong friends. i'm looking forward to partying with them again next year at the summer solstice fest (quite a bit bigger with about 1500).
i highly suggest hitting up one of the fests on this farm. they throw several a year and have been doing so for 35 years. it's very family oriented, but that doesn't mean they don't know how to party. i'm so in love with that land... especially the creek.
Instead of dirt and poison, we have rather chosen to fill our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing mankind with the two noblest of things, which are sweetness and light.
Instead of dirt and poison, we have rather chosen to fill our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing mankind with the two noblest of things, which are sweetness and light.
i cant believe i have never seen this thread...... Ive been going to the summer solstice and fall equinox for a few years now and its very very nice. and anyone in the area should check out the owners website and he also has a tv show on pbs www.barefootfarmer.com/
