Voting is now in process to determine which artiste will make it in the final lineup for the show.
“It will definitely be the people’s choice,” commented a spokesperson for the festival.
This popular event has experienced many first and a lot of positive changes since its inception in 1997 as a Pre-Thanksgiving Family Fun Day, Reggae Bash held at AT&T Amphitheatre, with a lineup that still is being talked about today. Among the artistes that graced the stage were Beenie Man, Capleton, Sanchez, Spragga Benz, Richie Stephens, General Degree and a host of other tough acts including Sean Paul doing his first major show in the US.
In 2001, Caribbean was added to the event’s title to reflect the new direction of the Festival. Artist from various genres throughout the Caribbean was added to reflect the diversity of the region and of Miami Caribbean population. Haitian super acts Sweet Mickey, Zenglen, Nulook, Boukman Experyans and the Virgin Island super group Jam Band, along with dancehall acts TOK, Veterans Sugar Minot & Cocoa Tea were also included. It was clear that the event had outgrown the venue.
The fifth annual staging of the Caribbean Reggae Festival saw a new venue at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park and Beach was added to the title. The Caribbean Reggae Beach Festival show turned out to be the biggest in Miami for 2002. A touch of Soca was added to the event which included Machel Montana & Denise Belfon. Yellow Man & Half Pint out-done themselves with an unforgettable performance, Red Rat made an exciting entry riding on the back of a motor cycle on stage which had the Festival in frenzy.
The Historic Virginia Key Park was closed for renovations in 2003. The Caribbean Reggae Festival then moved to its biggest venue, the Bi-centennial Park. Over 30,000 fans from all over the Globe traveled to see the greatest line-up of Top Dance-hall stars, which includes Sizzla, the crowd favorites Bennie Man & Bounty Killer returned, Buju Banton made a rare Miami appearance, Tanto Metro & Devonte, Elephant Man and Spragga Benz.
In 2006 the name was changed to the International Caribbean Music Festival and the line-up was expanded to include International Musicians other than reggae/dancehall. It was also the first time Reggae / Dance-hall, Reggaeton and Soca Artists combined on one stage. 2006 was the year that the International Caribbean Music Festival was invited to be a part of the Miami Carnival which took place in October. Morgan Heritage, Wayne Wonder, Bunji Garlin, Alison Hines and others performed on the same line-up.
In 1999, 2005 & 2007 there was no staging of the Festival. The promoters regrouped and have now return with a vengeance, back to its original week-end Pre Thanksgiving Family Fun Day at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. This year’s staging by all indications will be greater than great. The Promoters are urging everyone to log on to www.icmfest.com and keep the votes coming, as they will be going all out to ensure that ‘patrons wish will be their command’.