Over the past 13 years the Monterey Bay Reggaefest has blossomed into one of the premiere reggae festivals in California, and has featured some of the biggest acts to visit the Golden State, including the Abyssinians, the Mighty Diamonds, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff and The Wailing Souls. But early on, co-producer Andre Smith never envisioned the event would grow into the monster festival it has become.

“We’re going to stay with thae one-day festival for the next few years,” Smith told the Weekly, after year three. “We’re not ready yet for two days.”

At that time, Reggaefest took up only one stage and featured fewer than 10 bands. Smith wasn’t even sure if the festival could afford to put up the funds needed to continue bringing in the bigwigs.

Though there have been hitches – including its cancellation in 2003 – attendance and hype now grows each year.

THEIR DANCEHALL, SKA AND HIP-HOP SALAD IS BUILT ON A BED OF HEAVY DRUM AND BASS.

“Every year, by the grace of God, we pull it off,” says Pamela Smith, Andre’s wife and co-producer of the festival. This year’s 14th annual Monterey Bay Reggaefest is one of the biggest yet, with more than 45 bands on two stages over a three-day period.

On Friday, one of the most important reggae bands to bob their heads, Israel Vibration (playing at 8:15pm on the main stage), who played the festival back in 2001, will end the first day of Reggaefest with their renowned – and virtually irresistable – positive vibes.

Israel Vibration’s humble back-story is as intriguing as their illustrious career. As children, Lascelle “Wiss” Bulgin, Albert “Apple Gabriel” Craig (no longer in the band) and Cecil “Skeleton” Spence met at the Mona Rehabilitation Center in Kingston, Jamaica, where they were undergoing treatment for polio.

Despite the ravages of the disease, they found strength through their newfound faith in Rastafari, their growing love of reggae music and the support of their community to overcome the illness and start a band.

By 1976, Israel Vibration recorded their first album The Same Song featuring dub masters Sly and Robbie on drum and bass. The title song from the album became a hit in Jamaica and eventually in the U.S.

After breakups, different incarnations and the reunion of two original members, Israel Vibration is as popular as ever: The group recorded the crucial reggae gem Jericho in 2000 and has been touring steadily, playing festivals like Bonnaroo and the Sierra Nevada World Music Fest.

One of Reggaefest’s greatest attributes, aside from bringing legendary reggae acts to the area, is pulling in some lesser known and up-and-coming bands.

Baltimore reggae powerhouse Jah Works (Friday at 4pm on the main stage) have been around for almost two decades and recorded eight albums. In February they played in Washington D.C. for the inauguration of President Obama. Their dancehall, ska and hip-hop salad is built on a bed of heavy drum and bass with catchy melodies doubling as dressing.

Rising Ras D (Friday at 5:30pm on the second stage) has a track called “September 11,” an homage to those who perished in the 2001 attacks: “God bless America/ We must get the message from Jah,” sounds the chorus. Ras D’s recent popularity in Jamaica sparked a U.S. tour with Andrew Tosh, son of Peter. He’s currently recording his first album that features several guest artists including the celebrated Toots.

Big Mountain plays the main stage at 5pm on Saturday as well as an after party at The Planet at 10pm ($20 cover; $15 with Reggaefest bracelet). The San Diego reggae band is mostly remembered for their reggaefied cover of Peter Frampton’s “Baby, I Love Your Way” which was featured on the soundtrack for the film Reality Bites and was a Top Ten single in 1994.

Ras Indio (Saturday at 8:30pm on the second stage) began making music at the age of 12 after relocating to Belize from Los Angeles and playing keyboard for his father’s band, Tribal Vibes. After touring the world with the band Indio released his first album, Free Up Mi Nation. Indio’s jumble of traditional African influence, roots-reggae and lyrical creativity results in ground-rattling live performances.

Prezident Brown (Sunday at 3:30pm on the main stage) has been touring all summer to promote the release of his new album, Common Prosperity, which was released in July. The album features Courtney Diedrick of Damien Marley’s band on drums, Vin Gordon of The Skatalites on trombone and Glen Dacosta, formerly of Bob Marley and the Wailers, on saxophone. Brown calls his unique brand of Rasta-conscious reggae the “chanting stylee.”

There’s no doubt that Ky-mani Marley (Sunday at 6:40 on the main stage) comes from a prominent reggae gene pool, but he’s come into his own; in 2001 Many More Roads was nominated for a Grammy. Marley’s reggae – infused with Miami dancehall and hip-hop – is brutally honest and knows no boundaries.

Don Carlos (Sunday at 8:30pm on the main stage) is another one of those reggae godfathers who has been at the forefront of the scene since the 1970s. Carlos started out with the famed group Black Uhuru before embarking on a solo career and releasing his masterpiece, Suffering, in 1981. Carlos’s voice needs no accompaniment in his acapella version of “You Are My Sunshine” – it’s full-bodied and crisp. It’s also an ideal way to close the three-day reggae showcase.

The MONTEREY BAY REGGAEFEST takes place 3-10pm Friday, Sept. 4, and noon-10pm Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5-6, at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey. $30 Friday; $40 Saturday; $40 Sunday; $95 weekend. 394-8432.