Get ready to let your hair hang down. The 2012 Reggae/World Music Festival features some of best Reggae artists around. Submitted photo

Peace, love and unity.

It is the motto of the eighth annual Reggae/World Music Festival, to be held Aug. 11 at the Saint Joseph County 4H Fairground, 5117 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, Ind.

John Pangani, festival promoter and WSND DJ, started the festival in 2005 as a way to unite people of different race, religion, nationality, color and age.

“Everybody speaks a different language, but they all dance to the same tune,” he said.

The family-friendly festival continues to grow in popularity. Around 400 attended the first one, Pangani said. Last year, nearly 2,000 came.

Pangani said he is hoping between 3,000 and 5,000 show up for this year’s festival, which runs from 1 to around 11:30 p.m.

Cost is $20 at the gate from 1 to 4 p.m. and $25 after 4 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased in advance for $20 at Martin’s Super Market locations. Children ages 12 and younger are admitted free.

Money raised from the event goes to support The Pangani Foundation, a charity founded in 2005 by Pangani. It targets the hospitals and schools in Malawi, Pangani’s native home, in central Africa.

Music, food and fun

Lloyd Brown headlines a list of bands offering live music throughout the festival. Brown, of England, is considered by many to be one of the world’s top reggae artists with a string of hit singles and critically acclaimed albums. He takes the stage at 10 p.m.

Another crowd favorite, The Original Indika Reggae Band, is also scheduled to be in attendance. Indika is made up of long-time Chicago reggae veterans Peter Beaumont, founder, Country Panton on bass, Merv Belisle on keyboards and Rasta Kelly on lead vocals. Kelly has won eight Chicago Music Awards including 2010’s Best Reggae Performer. Between them, they have more than 125 years of experience.

“When people talk about reggae, they talk about Indika band,” Pangani said.

People are encouraged to bring drums and take part in the drum circle, which will be lead by RhythmWorks!

“We form a big circle, a unity circle, and the people beat whatever you want to, but the sound will be one sound,” Pangani said.

The festival will also feature vendors selling items and food from African, Carribean, European and American cultures.

“That’s one thing that makes this unique,” Pangani said.

Festival schedule

The 2012 Reggae Festival features more than 10 hours of live entertainment, from the legendary Lloyd Brown to the Rhythm Works Drum Circle. Below is list of scheduled events.

1-2 p.m. — DJ OT/Selector Hazey

2:15-3 p.m. — Rhythm Works Drum Circle

3:01-3:20 p.m. — DJ OT/Selector Hazey

3:21-4:15 p.m. — Zumba Team Michiana

4:16-4:45 p.m. — Youth Limbo Dance Competition

4:45-5 p.m. — DJ OT/Selector Hazey

5:01-5:45 p.m. — Fada Wayne

5:46-6:30 p.m. — Rasta Kelly

6:31-6:45 p.m. — Zumba Team Michiana

6:46-7:30 p.m. — Devon Brown

7:31-8 p.m. — Rhythm Works Drum Circle

8:10-9 p.m. — Carl Brown

9:01-9:15 p.m. — DJ OT/Selector Hazey

9:16-9:45 p.m. — Flex Crew

9:46-10 p.m. — DJ OT/Selector Hazey

10:01-11:15 p.m. — Lloyd Brown