10. Reggae on the River (Benbow, Calif.), July 16-17
Reggae on The River (or, as it’s known locally in Humboldt County, just plain “Reggae”) was, until recent years, the most widely known reggae fest in the States. In 2007, the event relocated to a different site and changed its name to Reggae Rising but, while this incarnation got great reviews, it didn’t last. The festival has moved back to the shores of the Eel River now, but the lineup isn’t as strong as it once was. Still, this now 27-year-old institution has a lot of history–every card-carrying yankee reggae fanatic should make the trek out at least once.