An annual concert that draws hundreds of tourists to
celebrate Bob Marley's birthday has been canceled for the
first time since its inception in 1992 over noise complaints.
Police denied promoter Clive Pringle an event permit because
of several run-ins with police and residents in Negril,
superintendent Dezeita Taylor said.
The Bob Marley Birthday Bash that Pringle organised every
February 6 regularly exceeded the 2am curfew established
under the Noise Abatement Act, she said.
Last year Pringle was fined $US560 ($NZ787), police said.
Pringle said he appealed, but doubts the concert will be
held. The show was launched in 1992 in Negril - a seaside
town west of Kingston - and has attracted up to 3500 people,
Pringle said.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett recently called for a
revision of the Noise Abatement Act to extend time for events
popular with tourists. Bob Marley birthday bashes are held
worldwide in places including London, Hawaii and Miami.
