Riverview Park’s Annual Reggae Festival Blends Music, Culture, and Community Roots
PITTSBURGH — On a bright summer Saturday, Riverview Park pulsed with rhythm, flavor, and deep community energy as the fifth annual Reggae at Riverview lit up the city’s North Side with a festival that was about more than just music.
The free event ran from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., welcoming families, neighbors, and reggae fans of all ages to a celebration that honored not just the genre’s signature grooves, but also the ongoing revitalization of the park itself — including the grand reopening of the restored Valley Refuge Shelter.
Music With a Mission
The lineup was packed with a mix of local acts and established reggae names. Milton Blake, the Jamaica-born, Cleveland-based headliner, closed the night alongside The Royal Fyah, delivering soulful energy rooted in classic reggae traditions. Earlier performances included Pittsburgh’s own Truth and Rites, YAADI, and the Flow Band, as well as DJ sets and the infectious vibes of the Gangsta Shack Movement.
“Reggae is a whole lifestyle,” said Blaise Edwards of Truth and Rites. “It’s not just a sound — it’s a message, and it’s what brings us all together.”
A Park Reborn Through Music and Connection
This year’s event held special meaning thanks to the newly renovated Valley Refuge Shelter, a historic structure recently upgraded with funding from the Parks Tax Trust Fund, the Merus Charitable Foundation, and a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
“This festival is about connection, joy, and celebrating this incredible greenspace,” said Erin Tobin, assistant director of community engagement for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
Families lounged under trees, danced barefoot on the grass, and explored vendor booths featuring Caribbean cuisine, local craft beer, and community art. For many, it was their first chance to see the shelter restored — now acting as a vibrant community hub once again.
Cultural Roots and Future Growth
The event also highlighted the city’s growing investment in Riverview Park as an urban green oasis. From the newly opened Davis Avenue pedestrian bridge to the recent recognition of the park as a nationally certified arboretum, Pittsburgh is doubling down on access, nature, and neighborhood pride.
Attendees could also join a Children’s Hike, experience a Hula Hoop Workshop, and take part in a graffiti art lesson with Ras Maisha, blending reggae’s countercultural ethos with hands-on creative expression.
Lineup Snapshot: Reggae at Riverview 2025
- 1:00 p.m. – Jonny B Goode
- 1:30 p.m. – Jahshaolin
- 2:00–4:00 p.m. – YAADI + Graffiti Art with Ras Maisha
- 2:45 p.m. – Kev Reason
- 3:00 p.m. – Valley Refuge Shelter Celebration
- 4:00 p.m. – Flow Band + Hula Workshop
- 4:45 p.m. – Ras B
- 5:00 p.m. – Children’s Hike
- 5:30 p.m. – Green Rose Sound
- 6:00 p.m. – Truth and Rites
- 6:50 p.m. – Gangsta Shack Movement
- 7:30 p.m. – Milton Blake and The Royal Fyah
Reggae at Riverview isn’t just about great music—it’s a movement powered by community love, green revitalization, and cultural pride. It’s the kind of festival that reaffirms why music matters—and why parks like Riverview are worth every ounce of care.
Did you attend this year’s Reggae at Riverview? Which performance moved you most, or what did you love about the event space? Share your thoughts at ChicagoMusicGuide.com and help us spotlight more community-rooted music moments.