You don't need to look at the calendar to know it's almost June. The weather is warming up, the fountains are on at Coolidge Park, the river and lakes are crowded with boats. But, warm weather and cool water are not the signs that June is approaching, it's the commercials, the billboards, the articles...all telling us that Riverbend is almost here.
Riverbend to Chattanooga is what Mardi Gras is to New Orleans. It is only one of Chattanooga's claims to fame, but nonetheless it's a big one. If you've never spent an evening in the south with thousands of people watching different musical acts on different stages, eating everything from Ice Cream to Red Beans & Rice and drinking everything from Coca-Cola to Miller Light, you have never experienced a true southern festival. This 9 day event is frequently called Chattanooga's Family Reunion. Even if you aren't from Chattanooga, you are still bound to run into somebody you know.
The Riverbend Festival began in 1981 in Chattanooga on the banks of the Tennessee River. It originally began as Five Nights in Chattanooga; it has now grown to nine nights, six stages and over 100 performing artists. Average nightly attendance at Riverbend is around 80,000 people. On closing night, you are bound to count well over that 80,000 mark, since the night is always topped off with the most amazing display of fireworks that would put any Fourth of July show to shame.
The true diversity of talent that comes together to make Riverbend a success would blow the minds of even the most avid music fan. Riverbend has been host to everyone from Chuck Berry to Kid Rock. Riverbend features every kind of music for every type of fan, including a Family Faith night bringing the biggest in Christian music to the scenic city.This years headline acts include Blake Shelton, Daughtry, Earth, Wind & Fire, Jars of Clay, Randy Owen, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, and The Steve Miller Band. On various stages throughout the festival, you can also catch such acts as Cracker, Comedian Tim Wilson, Roger Allen Wade, Up With The Joneses, The Alan Parsons Project and Moe.
There are several ways to catch the action at Riverbend, probably the most popular is to get there early, and set up your chairs or blanket and people watch till the sun goes down and the "stars" come out. For an additional charge, you can also buy reserved seating at the main stage for the headlining act. Another popular way to catch the tunes and atmosphere of Riverbend is by boat. Simply anchor down behind the main Coca-Cola stage, kick back and enjoy the show. If you are lucky enough to own a waterfront condo in downtown Chattanooga, you simply have the best seat in the house from your balcony.
Besides the musical acts, Riverbend is also home to the BlueCross Riverbend Run & Walk, with both the 10K and 5K races being certified and scored with the Championship system. From Thursday through Saturday at 7:30, keep your eye to the sky to watch the F-104 Starfighter jet fly over the crowds and the downtown skyline. This year, an exciting endeavor is the building of a Habitat for Humanity home. The house will be built at the entrance of Riverbend and later moved to the permanent site. The Habitat home is being sponsored by Tennessee Valley Credit Union, Chattanooga State Technical Community College, Chattanooga Association of Realtors and America's Home Place.
There is no other concert even that can compare to the price of Riverbend. If you buy your Riverbend Pin early enough, you get it for $28. If you wait until June 8th, the price goes up to $32. But that one little pin gets you into the festival all 9 nights for all of the shows. Believe me there is no better deal in town. This years event kicks off on June 8th and wraps up with the tremendous fireworks display on Saturday, June 16th. If you are around Chattanooga or plan on visiting, this is definitely 9 days to put on your calendar.
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