Monterey Bay Reggae Fest moves to July 30-Aug. 1, 2010

Monterey County reggae fans will be getting their annual festival fix a bit earlier than normal this year.
Monterey Bay ReggaeFest organizers announced this year's event will take place July 30-Aug. 1. The event was previously held on Labor Day Weekend at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey.
The reggae festival was bumped to make room for the re-scheduled Monterey County Fair, which will be held Labor Day Weekend.
Kelly Violini, CEO/general manager for the Monterey County Fair, said the switch was made as a result of the re-scheduling of the California State Festival in Sacramento to July 14. The Sacramento state fair was normally held Labor Day Weekend.
Because the state fair circuit relies on the same traveling carnival each fair, the move adjusted about 60 percent of the fair schedules in California.
“When they move, we all move,” said Violini.
Andre Smith, head organizer for the Monterey Bay Reggae Festival, said when the switch was announced, it came as a shock.
“We were kind of angry, and then more hurt, then angry,” said Smith. “We felt slighted a little bit.”
Violini said Smith and the event's organizers were notified of the impending move by certified letters, phone calls and e-mails.
She said the fair was sympathetic to the reggae festival fans.
“I would say on behalf of the fair itself, situations like this do arise and we do apologize for the change in dates,” said Violini. “But we hope everybody gets the word that Monterey Bay Reggae Fest will be held at the end of July this year, and we hope the fans come out and have a great time anyways.”