PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Fourth Annual Goombay Gulf Coast festival gets groovin’ with the rhythm of the islands April 24, from 10 a.m.–11 p.m., in historic Belmont-Devilliers in downtown Pensacola. The festival features several steel drum bands from across the Southeast as well as reggae bands, including the headline act, The Reggae Vibes Band.

Along with a full day of live music, the festival features tasty island fare and scrumptious local eats from a variety of food vendors, as well as arts and crafts vendors. There also is a children’s area offering entertainment and educational experiences from noon to 4 p.m.

The U.A.B. Band and Ras-T joined together to form The Reggae Vibes Band, creating a unique reggae sound with a touch of pop and R&B. Having performed with legendary guitarist Junior Marvin of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Patti Labelle, LeVert and Boyz II Men, these band members are seasoned with a broad range of experiences and influences evident in their music.

Band members include Howard Murphy on guitar and background vocals, Ras-T as lead vocals and keyboard, Ulysses Young on trombone and vocals, Randy Wood on saxophone, Marlon Hatcher on drums and vocals, and Rickey Steele on bass guitar.

A colorful celebration of culture, “Goombay” takes its name from a kind of goatskin drum as well as the music of The Bahamas, a blend of African and European musical influences. As one of the largest gatherings of steel drum bands in the United States, Goombay Gulf Coast continues to grow attracting more than 20,000 attendees in 2009.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.goombaygulfcoast.com, e-mail info@goombaygulfcoast or call (850) 748-1728.