Returning Saturday for the first time since 1996, the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the Ohio State Division of Student Affairs are holding the “Reggae Fest” party on the front lawn of the Kappa Sigma House on Indianola Avenue. The fest has been a tradition since the mid-1980s, with the aim being to raise money for the Hannah Neil Center, an organization that helps needy children.”I’d like to see that the event makes enough money to really make a significant contribution to the center, and also that everyone has a good time with it, and that they’ll anticipate it next year. But most important, that its safe,” said Matt Couch, coordinator of student involvement. Others echoed the sentiment that the “Fest” isn’t just a party.”This is a great opportunity to donate funds to a needy organization that really appreciates it, promote student diversity, and provide an alcohol and substance free environment, and revitalize the greek community,” said Jeff Longstreth, a Kappa Sigma brother and senior majoring in political science.In 1995 Playboy voted the Kappa Sigma’s “Reggae Fest” the second best party in the country. “We want to bring the ‘Fest’ back to the level it was in the past,” Longstreth said.”Reggae Fest” was cancelled in 1997 due to problems with underage drinkers in previous years.Ninety five percent of all proceeds go to the Hannah Neil Center, and since the fest started, they have raised more than $40,000, averaging around $7,000 to $10,000 per year. Longstreth is also a student senator for the Undergraduate Student Government, and was recently responsible for having a bill passed to give $4,000 from USG toward this year’s event. In addition, Student Affairs has donated money which apparently is the largest amount ever donated to a fraternity for an event.Event Chairman Ryan Bozsan, a junior majoring in finance and member of the fraternity, said they’ve been planning the event for the past four months. “We’re hoping for 9,000 people to attend this year,” he said. “What makes this reggae fest different from years past is we have added the focus into the entertainment area. We have four bands that play a wide variety of reggae style music. We also added WCBE DJ Poppa Hopp and emcee Bobbie Bowman to add to the party atmosphere of the show,” Bozsan said. “We feel that besides being a great party, this year’s ‘Reggae Fest’ will be a grand expedition of new and old reggae music, including local and national acts participating,” he said. The bands playing at this year’s “Fest” are OAR (…of a revolution), The Ark Band, Dayton’s own Hector Welsh Project and national recording artists The Itals. “Reggae Fest” T-shirts will be for sale, and catering will be provided by Strawberry Fields, with drinks donated from Coca-Cola, and Tradewinds. The sound production for the bands will be done by PromoWest.The “Fest” is a good chance for people “of all walks of life, to come out and enjoy the music and have a good time,” Longstreth said. The 1999 Kappa Sigma Reggae Fest is on 1842 Indianola Avenue this Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $6 in advance, and can be purchased at World Records and the Ohio Union, room 218, or $8 at the door.