Reggae riddims, riotus rafts rule Labor Day weekend

The annual Bamboo Willie's Jamaican Festival starts at 4 p.m. today on the Portofino Boardwalk, 400 Quietwater Beach Road, Pensacola Beach, and continues throughout the weekend with three stages of live entertainment.

This year's music lineup includes local groups Top Celebrity Crew, Vibe Irie, Tribe Zion, Shane Curl and One Irie, as well as De Lions Of Jah from Jacksonville; Pan Vision from Foley, Ala.; Anderson Domingues from Biloxi; Crucial Rhymes from Mobile; Nothing Short of Pure from Panama City Beach; and Veinmelter from Gulf Shores, Ala.

There also will be an all-star reggae show featuring Lester Lee and James Arnold, formerly of local reggae band Ras Mutants, with guests.

The annual Jamaican Festival is well known for the traditional "Anything That Floats" bathtub races, set for 2 p.m. Sunday. Two-person teams compete for prizes not just for fastest times, but for the most dramatic sinker, most creative and best costumes. Any non-motorized "vessel" can enter. The entry fee is $30. Kids also can participate with the free Bathtub Fun Day at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Adding to the race action this year are the new paddleboard races, a single-elimination tournament starting at noon Sunday. The entry fee is $10, and entry is limited to the first 20 entrants with their own boards.

Sunday also includes a bikini contest, set to start at 5 p.m.

For more information, visit www.bamboowillies.com.

Entertainment schedule

Friday

» 4 p.m.: One Irie on the Bamboo Willie's stage.

» 7 p.m.: Tribe Zion on the Quietwater Shell stage.

» 9 p.m.: Top Celebrity Crew on the Bamboo Willie's stage.

Saturday

» Noon: Pan Vision on the Bamboo Willie's stage.

» Noon: Anderson Dominguez on the Quietwater Shell stage.

» 2 p.m.: Bathtub Fun Day for kids on Quietwater Beach (behind Bamboo Willie's).

» 3 p.m.: Crucial Rhyme on the Quietwater Shell stage.

» 5 p.m.: Nothing Short of Pure on the Bamboo Willie's stage.

» 7 p.m.: One Irie on the Quietwater Shell stage.

» 10 p.m.: De Lions of Jah on the Bamboo Willie's stage.

Sunday

» Noon: "Anything That Floats" paddleboard races on Quietwater Beach.

» Noon: Veinmelter on the Bamboo Willie's stage.

» 1 p.m.: Shane Curl on the Quietwater Shell stage.

» 2 p.m.: "Anything That Floats" bathtub races on Quietwater Beach.

» 5 p.m.: Jamaican Festival bikini contest on the Bamboo Willie's stage.

» 5 p.m.: Lester's Reggae Reunion Band on the Quietwater Shell stage.

» 7 p.m.: One Irie on the Bimini Beach Bar stage.

» 8 p.m.: Vibe Irie on the Bamboo Willie's stage.