Delaware Festival Honors Bob Marley & Mother

The 14th Annual People's Festival drew thousands from all over the US east coast on Saturday to Wilmington's Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park to honor the memory of the the mother of Reggae greatest musician, Bob Marley. both adopted the city as a temporary home during the mid 70’s.

Marley died of cancer in 1981 at age 36.

This year's festival paid special tribute to Marley's mother, Cedella Booker, or "Momma B" as many called her, who died in April in Miami.

Six bands took turns playing their reggae tunes on the stage next to the Christina River. Young men and women with dreadlocks danced barefoot in the grass. Around the edges of the park, vendors offered clothing, jewelry, music CDs, towels, posters, hats and flags -- all of which displayed Marley's face.

Many elements of the Rastafarian religion made popular by Marley were evident.
"My favorite part is being outside with all the people," said James Perrine of Dover as he sat back in his blue lounge chair and tapped his feet to the beat of the reggae music. "I love the ambiance. You see people walking around all happy, with no problems."

The event offered a healing garden where festival-goers could receive soothing massages, buy crystals or detox kits, follow a yoga instructor or have a tarot card reading. Food vendors offered everything from Caribbean, Chinese and Thai food, to hot dogs, fried fish and chicken and funnel cakes. And the festival's Kid Zone offered face-painting, necklace- and mask-making, sidewalk chalk and bubbles.

Booker, who lived in Wilmington for many years, started the school to help children of the impoverished area.


The Reggae News Agency

www.riddimjamaica.net | www.riddimja.com