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…