Standard-Examiner staff?lbrady@standard.net?

T

wo festivals are leaving Park City for a new home at the Ogden Amphitheater this summer. ?

The first show is a two-day celebration of rocksteady, surf reggae and traditional dub when the Utah Reggae Festival hits town on July 16 and 17. The second is a celebration of things Celtic when the Utah Irish Music Festival arrives on July 31. Both are at the amphitheater at 343 Historic 25th St. ?Toby Martin, concert producer and owner/operator of Park City Concerts, thinks this summer’s move to the Ogden Amphitheater will be a great one for local concertgoers — and will also draw from surrounding communities. ?

“I think the location is remarkable,” said Martin. “A number of people had mentioned this nice venue to me, and one day I got in the car and drove up there. Thank goodness! I was so impressed.”?Martin said he wants to make these festivals Ogden-centered events.?”We could have made a deal with a big hotel chain, but we are using the Ben Lomond instead, to keep those dollars local. We are using Watson Chevrolet as a sponsor, and Ogden Underground (distillery), too. We have sent an invitation to the farmers market vendors, hoping they will come out for these. Even the posters and banners are made in Ogden.”?In Park City, Martin said, he had good luck with both festivals, but he says Ogden will be better, location-wise. ?”If you live east of State Street in Salt Lake City, the fact is, you can get to Ogden faster than you can get out to USANA (amphitheater in West Valley City).” ?Martin has a two-year agreement with Ogden for both events. He notes that last year the Irish festival at Deer Valley drew about 3,000 and the reggae festival, two years ago, drew 4,000. ?”I’d like to do both festivals each year,” he said. “Irish music is always popular around here, and with our headliners being the Young Dubliners, I know everyone will have a great time. And of course, Ogden is in big part a ski town, and skiers and reggae just go together. ?”And we have different reggae styles covered. Saturday, we have a young California surf-reggae feel, with the Codi Jordan Band and The Dirty Heads. Then a very traditional feel to Sunday, with Tosh Meets Marley, and that will make it an easygoing afternoon to sit on the grass and enjoy the day.”?Tickets for the reggae festival are $15, or $20 on show day. A weekend pass is $30. Tickets for the Irish festival are $15 in advance, or $20 day of the show, with $30 VIP tickets available. ?Tickets for both shows are available in advance from www.ticketcake.com.