Groovin’ in the Park returns for 10th anniversary staging

NY:

After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Groovin’ In The Park, North America’s premier reggae and R&B concert returns on Sunday, June 25, for what promises to be a mammoth 10th anniversary staging. The outdoor festival has become one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the New York summer entertainment calendar.

“In the next few weeks we will be announcing a number of exciting things to enhance the overall experience including the confirmed artistes for our 10th staging. The event not only provides quality entertainment for thousands of patrons but the economic impact in the Jamaican/Caribbean American community here in Queens is significant,” event founder Christopher Roberts told The Gleaner.

The festival has featured a number of A-list reggae and R&B performers including reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, Beres Hammond, Tessanne Chin, Jr Gong Marley, Beenie Man, Michael Bolton, Billy Ocean, Gladys Knight, Boyz 11 Men, Morgan Heritage, Coco Tea, Luciano, Stitchie, Sanchez, Barrington Levy, Marcia Griffiths, Freddy McGregor, Capleton, Leroy Sibbles, David Rodigan, Barry G and a host of others. Asked about a defining moment at Groovin’, Roberts spoke about the 2014 event that featured Beres Hammond, Reggae Queen Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, Bob Andy, Tony Gregory and Air Supply from Australia.

“Looking at the fliers, some people kept saying it was an old line-up in terms of the age of the performers. It however turned out to be one of the best years we have ever had” Roberts shared. “The feedback I received after the event from some of the younger patrons, was they did not know Marcia Griffiths, Air Supply and Bob Andy were that good.”

In 2019, the event attracted over 25,000 plus music fans – the largest audience to have attended a festival at Roy Wilkins Park. The superbly professional technical standards that Groovin’ has set has redefined expectations for all other music festivals in North America and the Caribbean.