Reggae concert officials in market for new locale

The popular Reggae on the River festival will have to move to another location this year after talks broke down between organizers and the landowner.

Tom Dimmick, owner of the property near the Humboldt-Mendocino county line, previously announced he was terminating the lease for the event because the Mateel Community Center had breached its agreement by firing People Productions as producers of the event.

The Mateel insisted its contract with Dimmick was still valid and the board had hoped to persuade Dimmick to honor his contract with them. But those talks have failed, the center said in a statement issued Sunday. It added that it was exploring other options for the festival, assuring the public the event would take place.

The Reggae on the River music festival is held annually along the Eel River and draws thousands to hear top reggae music acts.

Dimmick said he was working to organize a rival music festival to Reggae on the River next year.