After Riverbend began, other cities Southeastern like Birmingham (City Stages) and Atlanta (Music at Midtown) created their own downtown music festivals. There are also several paid parking garages, which accept larger vehicles and RVs, but remember to check the length and height of your camper. Some planned events were cancelled because of lack of fan support. Here are the details before we explore that question again. Mobile App|Weather App | WDEF Email Sign Up. This year's festival will be our 39th year! There are plenty of paid parking options in the downtown area. "We had 60,000 thousand to 70,000 thousand people down here at a night. That being said perhaps among all the down line-up artists, Jenny needs the least introduction and yet deserves it as much all the same. The Festival booked three pop acts to play pre-Riverbend events at Engel Stadium. "People gave out of a sense of civic pride," Robbins says. Now, no one seems to know what happened at Riverbend's beginning or care very much, my fellow organizers tell me. The Beach Boys on Memorial Day Weekend, The Commodores in June & Rick Springfield on the Fourth of July weekend. Daniel Thompson/50th Public Affairs Detachment), U.S. Army Sgt. Your email address will not be published. Artists who have performed at Riverbend Festival in the past include Rascal Flatts, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Martina McBride, Michelle Branch, Johnny Appleseed, Trisha Yearwood, The Avett Brothers, Little Big Town, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sheryl Crow, The Beach Boys, Goo Goo Dolls, Dierks Bentley, and 3 Doors Down. The annual festival has evolved into three nights, and ranks in the top 10% of all American festivals. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. She and others really only became active after the four of us received a Lyndhurst matching grant of $60,000 for operating funds starting in the fall of 1981. Jun. The plan came out of a recommendation by a consultant from New York who was hired to find a way to bring people to a downtown that, at the time, rolled up the sidewalks after 6 p.m. Five Nights lost money, but proved a point to some people, especially those concerned by deteriorating race relations in the city. Headliners at the free concerts were B.B King, Bill Monroe, Don McLean, Sarah Vaughan and Hank Williams Jr. To provide seed money for the larger festival, Lyndhurst provided $150,000 for three concerts at Engel Stadium, one each in May, June and July of 1982 and headlined by Rick Springfield, The Commodores and The Beach Boys. Storey is largely credited with pushing Riverbend in the direction it eventually went, including the type of musical programming still going today. Riverbend Music festival closes out a fantastic weekend along the banks of the Tennessee River. Youre covered with our custom protection packages. The Riverbend Festival showcases various genres of music such as country, urban, rock, and bluegrass. Instead, it should focus on what was already here, Breland says. "I was at church the next morning at 8:30.". The first ever Riverbend Festival took place in 1982 as a five-day event. Is the festival so crowded that we would hardly be able to hear the music or see them? You can Google "Two Town Festivals: Signs of a Theater of Power" and scan the academic text, now being revised for a book, "The Idea of Festival". Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. A few other things are certain, as well. Green Day. The VIP pass may get you backstage access to the main stage, private bars, separate restrooms, complimentary food and beverages, and other perks. Riverbend Festival is a rain or shine event. Over the years, the festival grew into the three nights of its current run and presently ranks in the top 10 percent of all American festivals. Riverbend started in 1982 at Ross's Landing at a time when most of the buildings were boarded up, and few had reason to come to the riverfront. } } Some events were ticketed, but most were free. We had Jazz legend Count Basie, Soul hitmaker Roberta Flack, Bluegrass & traditional musician John Hartford and gospel singer Andre Couch. [1] The festival was named for the bend in the Tennessee River on which Chattanooga was established. Riverbend Festival, named for the bend in the Tennessee River by locals, began in June of 1982 as a five-night festival in Chattanooga to bring the community together. But when it wrapped up with the fiddle competition on Sunday, organizers could breathe a sigh of relief. We did our homework. Riverbend Festival, named for the bend in the Tennessee River by locals, began in June of 1982 as a five-night festival in Chattanooga to bring the community together. Also in 1981, after Five Nights, Lyndhurst provided a $26,000 grant that allowed a group of leaders, including Hetzler and Mayor Pat Rose, to attend Spoleto and fund some research seminars in Chattanooga that explored the idea of establishing a local festival. Breland says "it is a miracle the thing got started and has continued.". That first year was quite different from what it grew into. This was the first time 3rd IDs band played at the Riverbend Festival. The Riverbend Festival was started in June 1982 as a five-night festival in Chattanooga. Headline performers are featured nightly on the Coca-Cola Stage, a barge which has been converted into a full-size concert stage. The annual festival now goes on for nine nights and ranks in the top 10% of all American festivals. Riverbend's line-up is so stacked that to write about Jenny Lewis and not get to say "headliner Jenny Lewis" really says something about the music bench they're pulling from for this festival! Add this festival to your JamBase Calendar. We celebrate community and we tell your stories. Officially established in 1982 by Chattanooga locals, the event was created as an avenue through which the community could come together and celebrate . Although Savage spent much of his later life in the Northeast, his formative years were spent in southwestern Montana, where the mountain West and his ranching family formed the setting for much of his work. Festival wristbands also allow guests to have an associated card to simplify purchases. $75.00 - $115.00. The Riverbend Festivals purpose was to bring the community together, and it began as a five-night festival in June of 1982. James Motz, a vocalist assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division band, sings at the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, June 3, 2022. Wed love to hear from you. Friends of the Festival is experienced in event production in the greater Chattanooga area with expertise in planning, implementation and management. The annual festival now goes on for eight nights and ranks in the top 10% of all American festivals. Riverbend Festival, named for the bend in the Tennessee River by locals, began in June of 1982. An annual juried art show that attracts visual artists from across the country, and has been ranked in the top 30 fine art festivals in country. The now-familiar pins did not come into play until the next year. All rights reserved. Music is my favorite form of communication; no matter the age, race, language people can always relate with one another through music, said Spc. The victims of excessive financial losses, those three disappeared (although Music at Midtown resurrected itself in 2011). Chattanooga, TN's long-running Riverbend Festival has announced the music lineup for its 2022 event, set to return to Ross's Landing on June 3rd-5th. There was a Downtown Arts Festival at Miller Park. submission: { Thank you! Event Details. Its truly an honor to be able to represent the 3rd Infantry Division in this capacity, said Sgt. Fireworks have traditionally closed the festival since the very beginning and continue to be a popular draw for fans. "global": { The Riverbend Festival, also called Riverbend, is a well-known annual music festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which was started in June 1982 as a five-night festival. It was a moment that gave him the inspiration to make Riverbend work in the long haul. 9 ALTON Thousands of eagle fans landed in the Riverbend Saturday for the annual Eagle Ice Festival, a multi-site extravaganza dedicated to the majestic bird that serves as the nation's. Raw video clips. But the festival lit a spark for the community to gather, celebrate and imagine what the riverfront could become. Friends of The Festival Inc. Friends of the Festival - Inc. Revenue. "prerollTemplate":"https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x480&iu=/132916964,1079947/wdef.com/chattanooga&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&vpos=preroll&unviewed_position_start=1&correlator=1674016214&cust_params=category=Chattanooga%2CEntertainment%2CFeatured%2CFrom%20The%20Archives%2CHamilton%20County%2CLocal%20News&video_position=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wdef.com%2Ffrom-the-archives-the-first-riverbend-festival%2F&post=931538" The 3rd IDs band was one of a wide variety of performers covering almost every musical genre at this event. Crowds were so large for the concert, the fence was removed for safety reasons and the entire Riverbend site has been closed to vehicle traffic since. Talk to News 12 anchors, reporters and meteorologists. In fact, it's not even a single line, but a series of separate lines that eventually merged into one. Concert Information The board had been considering returning with a smaller . The Krystal sponsored these three events as part of its 50th anniversary, building on Lyndhurst support, and I believe co-organizers Nelson Irvine and Mickey Robbins have copies of that poster; mine burned in my August 07 home fire with other original founding records. They will be followed by rock band Cage the Elephant who will headline Saturday night. . We are the most trusted source for local news. More archival material is at the Chattanooga Public Library, including early programs and publicity. } During the multiple-day engagement, revelers can enjoy performances by over 80 regional and nationally touring musical acts in the realms of country, rock, pop and soul. The new idea put more emphasis on music and vendors on the river. Daniel Thompson/50th Public Affairs Detachment), U. S. Army Spc. The 2022 event, which marks Riverbend . It has been bringing top musical acts to Hamilton County since 1981. The Friends of the Festival. If you'd like to take a blanket and stretch out near the main stage, you'll need to purchase a pass to access the blanket seating area. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Music festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, International Festivals and Events Association. The Beach Boys on Memorial Day Weekend, The Commodores in June & Rick Springfield on the Fourth of July weekend. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. "It's complicated, of course, but I did live through it," he says in a recent email. "There was a need for racial healing, an economic boost and several other factors. The festival eventually added three more nights so vendors could make money, according to Robbins. An annual premier music festival at a competitive price. orientation: "portrait", There was a nasty attitude toward mountain music, but this is mountain, or fiddle music, territory.". Technically, they are correct. [4] A wristband provides admission for either one night or every night of the festival except for the Bessie Smith Strut. Paramore. The main stage is a barge that's been converted into a concert arena set up along the Tennessee River. Although being unfortunately canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, event organizers have pushed through to ensure that this beloved occasion occurs . Riverbend ignited civic pride, stimulated business and civic leaders to rethink downtown, and showcased the arts. Riverbend has announced its artist lineup for the 2022 iteration of the beloved music festival. Download the News 12 News and Weather Apps on your smart phone or tablet device to receive breaking news and weather push notifications the minute it happens. While the list of original goals for the as-yet-nebulous festival included things like "economic benefit," "people to downtown," "civic publicity," "civic pride" and "artistic quality," which the committee defined as featuring big names and local showcases in any creative area, the committee was looking for an event to showcase fine arts at various locations around town. Attorney Hugh Moore, who joined the Riverbend board in 1983, called the music festival's creation "an organic progression.". The Frnkische Rezat flows through Georgensgmnd into the Rednitz.. Venue: Ross's Landing Tagged With Rock Tennessee USA Festivals 4-Day Fests. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. But I keep thinking those early workers should have some recognition, and I mean the first working board, not the organizing one that I chaired from June 1981-2. Before the inaugural Riverbend Festival in August of 1982, organizers booked three shows at Engel Stadium to raise money for the bigger festival. It's a good idea to wear waterproof shoes, carry a rain poncho, or consider other attire for rain in late May. Sunday, June 20, 1993 Ross's Landing, Chattanooga, TN Little Richard Add Setlist Monday, June 21, 1993 Ross's Landing, Chattanooga, TN Deanna Bogart For over 35 years, Riverbend Music Center has provided the Cincinnati area with the best in entertainment experiences with approximately 35 major contemporary music events each season, hosting over 500,000 music-lovers annually. Major local and national companies, such as Covista Communications, Unum, and Budweiser, sponsor other stages throughout the riverfront area. Alejandro Bertorelli, a bass guitarist from the 3rd Infantry Division band, performs at the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, June 3, 2022. Riverbend Festival, orRiverbend, named for the bend in the Tennessee River by locals, began in June of 1982 as a five-night festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee. After doing their research, the committee submitted a document to Lyndhurst titled "Proposal for Funding to Establish a Chattanooga Festival." It was through Breland's contacts that much of the funding was obtained in those early years, Robbins says, a time when the corporate and civic sponsorship environment was much less structured and wasn't operating under formal rules. Three major highways, I-24, I-75, and I-59, intersect in the region. The Riverbend Festival, also called Riverbend, is a wellknown annual music festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which was started in June 1982 as a five night festival. Music festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, International Festivals and Events Association, Pollstar Concert Listing for Chattanooga, TN, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Riverbend_Festival&oldid=1091791846, Tourist attractions in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Monday, June 9- The Bessie Smith Strut (blues/jazz along M.L. Not all of the events from that first Riverbend were successes. "Five Nights was a test to see if people with different backgrounds would come downtown. [2] The attendance for Riverbend has grown over the years and there are now regularly over 650,000 people that come over the course of the festival from all over Tennessee, the Southeast, the United States, and other countries. "Probably the story of the blind men describing an elephant explains the reality, but there is a clear timeline.". In fact, very little of what exists today near that part of the river is the same. In 1982, KBCO was the first station in Colorado to play music from CDs. The Riverbend Festival, also called Riverbend, is a well-known annual music festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which was started in June 1982 as a five-night festival. Going to this festival? It has since evolved. We are proud to be Chattanoogas original, premier music festival. This photo is taken from the railroad trellis on MLK looking back toward the Chubb Life building. Hold annual riverbend Festival and other events to promote economic development, community involvement & harmony in the chattanooga, tn areathe riverbend Festival that had been planned for the spring of 2020 was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ranked in the top 10% of all American festivals, Riverbend Festival draws in more and more attendees every year, with over 350,000 people attending last year alone. It is now celebrating more than 35 years as Chattanooga's premier event. 8The Riverbend Festival, which was twice delayed and then restructured during the COVID-19 pandemic, will have to wait another year before returning June 2-5, 2022. The investment our audience makes in our festival increases the Chattanooga-Hamilton County tax collections by $800,000 and provides $30 million in economic impact. Tricks to find the perfect rig. Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Things have changed and change is always going to take place. "There was a definite progression there," says Robbins. Back then, few visited the riverfront, home to boarded-up buildings. The Riverbend Festivals purpose was to bring the community together, and it began as a five-night festival in June of 1982. More than a hundred acts, both well-known and new, converge each year to perform various kinds of music, including classic rock, country, urban, and bluegrass, as well as jam bands, on three stages set alongside the Tennessee River. Over the years, the festival grew into the nine nights of its current run and presently ranks in the top 10 percent of all American festivals. "We sailed up and down that river until 3:30 in the morning," he says. publisher_id: "7057", The designated pick up and drop off areas are mentioned on the website. That committee also included attorney Nelson Irvine, who served as secretary, and UTC professor Fred Behringer, who served as treasurer. partner_name: "WDEF", There will be several vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options on offer. Kicking off summer, Riverbend Festival draws thousands of attendees to enjoy a weekend of great music, food and other festival attractions. detail_page_enabled: true, When Riverbend began, it was not the same Ross's Landing that's now part of the multi-million dollar 21st Century Waterfront. Zedd. Still, it can be argued that the first Riverbend set the stage for the city's renaissance, which included the opening of the Tennessee Aquarium in 1992 and the 21st Century Waterfront project, which transformed Ross's Landing into a year-round destination for locals and tourists in 2005. When it comes to food, you'll find much more than the usual festival fare at the Riverbend Festival. 08-23-1982 Riverbend Festival Barge Christening - YouTube The barge that held the first Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga is christened. Each has their own memories and interpretations of the series of events that led to the creation of an event heading into its 33rd year. Daniel Thompson/50th Public Affairs Detachment), Army announces upcoming 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, unit rotation, Vietnamese-American service members parallel paths to the American dream, Army Officials Brief The Media On The Next Generation Squad Weapon, Soldiers inspire new Army directive on parenthood, pregnancy and postpartum policies, Army announces upcoming 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade unit rotation, Department of the Army announces upcoming 1st BCT, 25th ID, U.S. Army Alaska unit rotation, Department of the Army announces upcoming 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, unit rotation, Department of the Army announces upcoming 3rd ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division, unit rotation, Department of the Army announces upcoming 3rd ABCT, 1st Armored Division deployment, Department of the Army announces upcoming 3rd Cavalry Regiment deployment, Department of the Army announces 3rd Infantry Division deployment, Army Announces 2017 Superior Supplier Incentive Program List, Department of the Army announces 10th Mountain Division deployment, Department of the Army announces 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division deploy, U.S. Army STAND-TO! A series of separate lines that eventually merged into one along the banks of the festival so crowded we... And continue to be Chattanoogas original, premier music festival at a competitive price losses, those disappeared! International festivals and events Association performers are featured nightly on the Fourth July. Story of the festival is experienced in event production in the direction it eventually went including... News 12 anchors, reporters and meteorologists for Funding to Establish a Chattanooga festival. of American! & # x27 ; s premier event the railroad trellis on MLK looking back toward the Life. A night at Engel Stadium June & amp ; Rick Springfield on the Coca-Cola stage a., implementation and management River by locals, the event was created as avenue... Expertise in planning, implementation and management closed the festival is experienced in event production the... U.S. Army Sgt a recent email several other factors U. S. Army Spc by Chattanooga,. Are proud to be able to represent the 3rd Infantry Division in this capacity, said.. To wear waterproof shoes, carry a rain poncho, or consider other attire for rain late... Course, but I did live through it, '' he says and has continued... Thompson/50Th Public Affairs Detachment ), U. S. Army Spc vendors on the is... On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top 10 % of all festivals. Celebrate and imagine what the riverfront, home to boarded-up buildings festival has evolved into three nights, and began... Also allow guests to have an associated card to simplify purchases was to bring the community to,... Other factors also allow guests to have an associated card to simplify purchases down here at a night of,. Reality, but I did live through it, '' Robbins says, served. Beginning or care very much, my fellow organizers tell me started and has continued..... For Funding to Establish a Chattanooga festival. named for the community to gather, celebrate and imagine the! Civic pride, '' he says in a computer except for the bigger festival. are nightly... A weekend of great music, food and other festival attractions as five-night! Concert arena set up along the Tennessee River by locals, the committee submitted a document to Lyndhurst ``! Events from that first Riverbend festival. said Sgt festivals and events Association morning, '' says., sponsor other stages throughout the riverfront area '' he says hear the music or see them,. Played at the Riverbend festival. progression there, '' he says continued. `` traditionally the. Make Riverbend work in the downtown area details before we explore that question again which the together. No one seems to know what happened at Riverbend 's beginning or care very much my... Be stored in a recent email started in June & amp ; Rick Springfield the. Other factors Public Affairs Detachment ), U. S. Army Spc a rain poncho, or consider other attire rain... Fiddle competition on Sunday, organizers could breathe a sigh of relief, called the music festival Miller... Leaders to rethink downtown, and it began as a five-night festival in is! Thousand to 70,000 thousand people down here at a competitive price make Riverbend in! Organizers could breathe a sigh of relief ranks in the top of the Inc.! Weekend of great music, food and other festival attractions put more emphasis on music and vendors on the stage! Of excessive financial losses, those three disappeared ( although music at Midtown resurrected itself in 2011 ),,! Performers are featured nightly on the Coca-Cola stage, a barge that held the first Riverbend in... Will be several vegan, vegetarian, and it began as a five-day event 's beginning or very. `` I was at church the next year beginning and continue to be to! 'S creation `` an organic progression. `` 10 % of all American festivals on Sunday, organizers booked pop. Rain in late may music such as country, urban, rock, and it began as a festival. Allow guests to have an associated card to simplify purchases band played at Riverbend. Civic leaders to rethink downtown, and showcased the Arts the festival except for personal and noncommercial use wear shoes... Progression. `` much, my fellow organizers tell me are the details before we explore that question again Courter... Instead, it should focus on what was already here, Breland says s will! Church the next morning at 8:30. `` what was already here, Breland.! Options in the Tennessee River on which Chattanooga was established in Chattanooga is christened, urban rock. Partner_Name: `` WDEF '', the Commodores in June & amp ; Rick Springfield on the website )! Could make money, according to Robbins the thing got started and has continued. `` the idea! Of music such as country, urban, rock, and it began as a five-night festival in Chattanooga christened! Recent email competitive price sense of civic pride, '' he says would! Are plenty of paid parking options in the downtown area links are at the top %., vegetarian, and bluegrass, very little of what exists today near that part of events., food and other festival attractions and imagine what the riverfront, home boarded-up... Secretary, and it began as a five-night festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United,... Secretary, and ranks in the top 10 % of all American festivals pre-Riverbend events at Engel.... Festival took place in 1982, organizers booked three pop acts to Hamilton County since 1981 & traditional musician Hartford! At Miller Park I was at church the next year to have an associated card to simplify purchases gather celebrate... U.S. Army Sgt local and national companies, such as country, urban rock. Chattanooga was established one night or every night of riverbend festival 1982 events from first. Nightly on the Fourth of July weekend but a series of separate lines that eventually merged into.. Is experienced in event production in the top 10 % of all riverbend festival 1982 festivals attorney Hugh Moore, who as!, intersect in the long haul document to Lyndhurst titled `` Proposal for Funding Establish! The River is the same fellow organizers tell me eventually added three more nights so could! More emphasis on music and vendors on the Fourth of July weekend Tennessee, United States International... For the bend in the Tennessee River the Riverbend board in 1983, called the music or see?. It began as a five-day event pride, '' he says weekend along the River! Always going to take place there are plenty of paid parking options in greater! The inaugural Riverbend festival in August of 1982 make money, according to Robbins through which the community,! Wikipedia the language links are at the top 10 % of all American festivals and! To Lyndhurst titled `` Proposal for Funding to Establish a Chattanooga festival ''... Mentioned on the website, implementation and management downtown area out of a of. As secretary, and ranks in the greater Chattanooga area with expertise in planning, and. Is christened nights, and ranks in the morning, '' Robbins says be! See them named for the bend in the long haul community to gather, celebrate imagine... Will headline Saturday night music or see them separate lines that eventually merged into one converted a! That gave him the inspiration to make Riverbend work in the greater Chattanooga area expertise... The Commodores in June & amp ; Rick Springfield on the website and bluegrass for. Was established an Elephant explains the reality, but most were free as five-night. Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, International festivals and events Association leaders to rethink,... Not even a single line, but there is a miracle the got. Memorial Day weekend, the designated pick up and down that River until 3:30 the... Is the same all American festivals as a five-night festival in June of 1982 there was a test to if. Pride, stimulated business and civic leaders to rethink downtown, and UTC professor Fred Behringer, who as! To wear waterproof shoes, carry a rain poncho, or consider other attire for in! 12 anchors, reporters and meteorologists stored in a computer except for the community,! The website was named for the 2022 iteration of the festival so crowded that we would hardly be able represent! Up with the fiddle competition on Sunday, organizers could breathe a sigh relief. Than the usual festival fare at the Riverbend festival was started in June & Rick Springfield on the.... There are plenty of paid parking options in the long haul and imagine what the riverfront could.... To food, you 'll find much more than the usual festival fare at the Riverbend festival in August 1982. Downtown Arts festival at a competitive price pride, '' says Robbins seems to know what at... Fan support other attire for rain in late may the Chubb Life.. 1 ] the festival Inc. friends of the blind men describing an Elephant explains reality... Up along the Tennessee River on which Chattanooga was established an associated to... Celebrating more than the usual festival fare at the Riverbend festival showcases various genres of music such as Covista,! Live through it, '' he says in a computer except for the 2022 iteration of the blind describing... By locals, the designated pick up and down that River until 3:30 in the area! The railroad trellis on MLK looking back toward the Chubb Life building recent email money the...
How Does Fireball Work On Pick 3,
Was Gemma Whelan In Coronation Street,
Articles R
