The Annual Reggae Music Awards were first instituted in Washington, D.C. in 1997. According to their website, the purpose of the awards is to promote reggae music in Washington, as well as to honor those who perform and promote it in the area. In order to be nominated for an award, a band, artist or business must work at least seven months out of the year. In 2003, the One Love Bob Marley Awards and the Dennis Brown Awards were granted to those who either promoted reggae in Washington or made significant efforts to positively influence the local community. Other awards given include the Dance of the Year and Show of the Year awards to music promoters as well as awards to individual artists, such as the Singer of the Year award.
The Jamaica Promotional Company runs the annual Jamaica Day Reggae Festival. Formed in the early 1990s, the company holds DJ competitions, soccer tournaments and reggae concerts in Washington, D.C. The festival is held at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Anne Arundel, Maryland -- a suburb of Washington, D.C. -- in July. Tickets are available at many Caribbean restaurants in the area. The festival consists not only of musical performances but also of opportunities to shop among the vendors' stalls that are present each year.
Every year, John Linganore Wine Cellars in Mount Airy, Maryland holds a reggae festival at the winery. The event lasts a weekend and often features bands such as the Image Band and the Proverbs Reggae Band. The winery also holds a Caribbean festival over another weekend that features the Image Band, along with other bands such as the D.C. Pan Jammers. The festival is held regardless of the weather and doors open at 11:00 a.m. Aside from the live music, admission buys a tour of the winery, a complimentary wine glass, a tasting of 19 wines as well as an exhibition of local artists selling their art.