Reggae FreedomFest part of the growing musical scene at Wayneboro's Plaza Antiqua

WAYNESBORO — Chris Ornelas had the idea for his first Reggae FreedomFest in 2021. Now, as he gets ready for the third annual concert, the owner of Plaza Antiqua said the event seems to get bigger ever year.

The musical festival will take place Saturday, July 29 from 2-8 p.m. at the concert venue next to the Mexican restaurant on Windigrove Drive. The first year he sold around 400 tickets. That increased to more than 700 last year and he's hoping for an even larger group this month.

Koolant Brown, who has been both a solo artist and with The Wailers, will be the headliner in 2023.

"A lot of people really enjoyed him last year," Ornelas said. "He's one of our big names."

The show will have at least seven performers, possibly more. Joining Koolant Brown will be iRon Lion, Joe Bailey, Greg Ward, Davina Jackson, Righteous and Shayar.

In addition to performing, Ward also was instrumental in helping Orneles organize the event.

"We're very grateful to have the opportunity to bring authentic, positive reggae music to Virginia again," said Ward, who also credited Shannon Farrar with helping organize the event.

Reggae FreedomFest is just one part of a bigger musical scene Ornelas is trying to create at Plaza Antiqua. Ornelas grew up in the restaurant business, moving with his family from Mexico in the late 1980s. His family opened restaurants in Charlottesville and Richmond, and Ornelas started serving when he was 13. He was also a DJ at a nightclub attached to one of his dad's restaurants in Richmond, so working in the restaurant and entertainment industry is almost all he has known.

Once in his 20s he began working for Plaza Azteca, managing the location in Short Pump before moving to Waynesboro when that location opened. Eventually he bought out the other owners and was able to go independent, changing the name to Plaza Antigua. That happened in 2021.

"I always loved more of the festive, party environment," Ornelas said. "Hence the venue."

The outdoor location usually opens in April with an event scheduled almost every month through November. Typically there's a charity event in April, a three-day Cinco de Mayo concert in May, and Jeep Jam in June. Those pave the way for Reggae FreedomFest in July.

Ornelas holds a margarita 5K in September and a musical festival in October benefiting Friends of the Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center called Woofstock. This November Ornelas is planning a Veterans Day event.

He has held off on anything for August because the weather is usually iffy, but he's been brainstorming something like an adult field day to bring back memories of the end of year events at schools. He just hasn't figured out how to execute the idea.

"That has been the one that's like, 'How will I do it?'" he said. "I need a lot of help for that one."

More information on Reggae FreedomFest can be found at vafreedomfest.com. It's family friendly event where all ages are welcome. Those attending can bring lawn chair and blankets. There will be food and craft vendors available, but no outside food or drinks are allowed.

"I got such a huge diversity of people that it was amazing," Ornelas said of the first two years of the event. "You just see everyone enjoying themselves, people are just happy, peaceful. It was just a very chill, very happy kind of vibe."

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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Reggae FreedomFest part of the growing musical scene at Wayneboro's Plaza Antiqua