Bounty Killer (left), marketing manager of Wisynco, Zachary Harding, and Amelia 'Milk' Sewell at the launch of Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest 2007, held at Devon House, Hope Road, on Wednesday. - photos by Winston Sil/Freelance Photographer

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Celebrating 15 years of presenting top-rated reggae music to the world, the organisers of Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest launched this year's festival on the lawns of Devon House, St. Andrew, on Wednesday night.

With the launch being hosted by Empress, Devon House was littered with entertainers who will be taking part in this year's festivities. Sumfest Executive Director Johnny Gourzong kicked off the speeches, celebrating all the sponsors who have stuck with the show since its beginning in 1993. He then announced plans to honour two legendary bands that have been regulars on the Sumfest stage since the beginning, Lloyd Parks and the We the People Band and Fab 5.

Video presentation

Other guest speakers for the night included Zachary Harding, and marketing manager for Wisynco, David Shields, of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). Then it was time for the video presentation announcing this year's line-up.

This year, Sumfest runs from July 15-July 21. The Beach Party starts off the festival on Sunday, July 15, with Fab 5, ZJ Liquid, Craig Ross and Pieces Disco. Dancehall Night is dubbed 'Xplosion' and features Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Baby Cham, Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Lady Saw, Vegas, Ninja Man, Chuck Fenda, Munga Honorebel, Erup, Macka Diamond, Voicemail and countless others.

International Night

The first International Night, or 'Evolution', features Shaggy, Buju Banton, Morgan Heritage, Richie Spice, Etana, Da'Ville, Cherine Anderson and Christopher Martin, with Hard Drive, among the bands. Saturday the 21st is called 'Zenith' and features Mary J. Blige, Beres Hammond, Tanya Stephens, Alison Hinds, Tarrus Riley, Tessanne Chin and Rootz Underground. From Thursday to Saturday night the event will be held at the regular venue at Catherine Hall, Montego Bay.

Cherine Anderson touched the stage with Are You Coming Over Tonight, recorded with Chuck Fender, followed by Kingston Streets. Munga Honorebel, who Empress called the hottest entertainer for the summer followed and he brought the first real tingle of excitement to the crowd as he teased with In Her Arms and Bad From Mi Born. Other performances came from Etana, Shane-O and others.

Handing out party flyers and making guests comfortable were all in a night's work for (from left) Sasha Jones, Nneka Alveranga and Tashiann Ramcharan.