CARRABASSETT VALLEY, – American reggae band Big Mountain will headline this year’s Bud Light Reggae Festival at Sugarloaf April 10-13 when the resort celebrates the 20th anniversary of the original springtime event.

Big Mountain will headline a group of 10 bands that will play at three different indoor and outdoor venues day and night throughout the weekend. The weekendlong event features stages in the Widowmaker Lounge and King Pine Room, and outdoors on the beach for daylong outdoor celebrations of spring.

The reggae festival got its start in 1988 as a way to celebrate the changing of the seasons and to enjoy the deep snow and warm sun that define spring skiing and riding. Today, the popular event draws 10,000-plus reggae and spring skiing fans each year.

Big Mountain has achieved commercial success in the United States and worldwide, most notably with its 1994 cover of Peter Frampton’s “Baby, I Love Your Way,” which rose to No. 6 on the American Charts and No. 2 in the UK.

The band has released six albums to date, selling millions of copies worldwide.

Despite its success on the commercial pop charts, the band has remained popular throughout the reggae community and features reggae roots music on all of its albums. The band headlined Jamaica’s Reggae Sunsplash festival in 1994 and 1995 during massive world tours that crisscrossed Europe, North and South America, Asia and Indonesia.

Performing in support of Big Mountain throughout the weekend will be Ini Souljah, Stream Reggae, On the Drop, Hot Like Fire, Toussaint and the Trama Unit, The Well, Vibe Wise, Pressure Cooker and Mile 21.

Sugarloaf is offering several ticket options, including a limited number of Platinum One Love all venue passes for $75, which grant guests full access to all Widowmaker and King Pine Room shows on all three nights, including Big Mountain and Stream Reggae on Friday night.

For $50, reggae fans can purchase a Jamaican Gold Pass, which grants access to headliner Big Mountain on Friday night, as well as Saturday night’s King Pine show featuring Toussaint and the Trama Unit, The Well, and Vibe Wise.

Platinum One Love and Jamaican Gold Passes are available in advance by calling 1-800-THE-LOAF. Single-night tickets will be available for $35 for Friday night and $25 for Saturday night. Widowmaker Lounge upgrades will be available for $10 each night as space permits.

All daytime outdoor performances are free and open to all ages. All evening performaces are 21+ events with proper ID required at the door. No outside alcohol may be brought into the venue, and all persons, bags and coolers are subject to search.

A limited number of ski-and-stay packages are still available for Reggae Weekend. Visit www.sugarloaf.com, or call 1-800-THE-LOAF for details.


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