RIVERVIEW PARK — Aug. 1 marked the return of what has become a key part of Northside summers: Reggae at Riverview.
The annual festival of all things reggae music celebrated its sixth year with a day that, while overcast, otherwise served perfect weather for the outdoor event. Lead organizer Kevin Maskol said he was glad the cloud cover kept things from getting too hot, and a slight breeze both kept things cool and helped to carry reggae tunes throughout the venue.
Now going on for more than half a decade, Reggae at Riverview began as a relatively small event by Maskol and as a way to offer reprieve from the then-ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it has continually grown, managing to attract new attendees each year.
Felicity Wolfe, a Perrysville Avenue resident, attended Reggae at Riverview for the first time. Wolfe said she is a big fan of reggae music, but perhaps found the scenery the best part of all.
“I didn’t even know about this part of the park down here,” she said.
Reggae at Riverview is held around the Valley Refuge Center, located in the southeastern part of the park known as the Kilbuck Valley. This was a big year for the section of the park, as the Valley Refuge Center — which has served a key part in Reggae at Riverview — received a Construction Award for Rehabilitation at the 2026 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards for renovation work which was completed last year under the direction of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
The Conservancy has supported Reggae at Riverview since 2023, and was more than happy to show off the completed renovations during the event.
“It is really special to be here after the project is complete,” said Erin Tobin, the Conservancy’s outreach coordinator. But, of course, the true centerpiece of Reggae at Riverview is the music. One of the acts performing this year was Lopaka Rootz, a reggae musician from Hawaii who first got in contact with Maskol after performing at Grandview Park in Pittsburgh two years ago.
Rootz, whose real last name is York, praised the festival, saying he enjoyed the natural venue and the “chill ambience” the park brought.
Rootz explained that he got into reggae music after attending a party where Ziggy Marley, son of the famous reggae musician Bob Marley, was playing. He described himself as “enamored” with the music genre.
“It’s a feeling,” he said. “You’ve got to feel it to play it.”
He described his particular flavor of reggae as a mix of California and Hawaii reggae.
On top of the music, this year’s festival featured spray painting lessons by a Rastafarian artist, Jamaican food vendors, handcrafted hula hoops and various other activities and vendors.
Reggae at Riverview is traditionally held during the first Saturday of August. For more information and updates on next year’s event, search for it on Facebook or follow the festival on Instagram, at @reggae_at_riverview.
