The new idea put more emphasis on music and vendors on the river. "Carey just sat back and laughed, but then he turned around and wrote a check for $25,000," says Breland, professor emeritus from the Music Department at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Now, no one seems to know what happened at Riverbend's beginning or care very much, my fellow organizers tell me. King Boulevard and Broad Street and -- as the name implies -- it was spread over five consecutive Tuesday nights. Nashville's Summer Lights began the same year as Riverbend. Find tickets online today using Songkick This time, were looking at the first headlining acts. The Friends of the Festival. var field59 = field59 || {}; Headliners at the free concerts were B.B King, Bill Monroe, Don McLean, Sarah Vaughan and Hank Williams Jr. The Commodores were one of three acts performing at Engel Stadium at the first Riverbend events during the summer of 1982, when the festival began. We persisted. We are the most trusted source for local news. Discover something new every day from News, Sports, Finance, Entertainment and more! It is ranked among the top American music festivals and has earned several national awards. The festival went to wristbands last year, though it offered a collectible pin, as well. Yes, I was inspired by reading in the Chattanooga Times in May 1980 about Charleston's 21-day Spoleto Festival and by working to get a Chattanooga town festival started. 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, Georgia and Alabama. We live, work and play right here in the Tennessee Valley. detail_page_enabled: true, Beginning as a five-night festival, the Riverbend Music Festival has garnered quite a reputation since its debut in June 1982, ranking in the top ten percent of American festivals. Breland says "it is a miracle the thing got started and has continued.". Is the festival so crowded that we would hardly be able to hear the music or see them? Instead, it should focus on what was already here, Breland says. Our organizing group (Mickey Robbins, Nelson and Deanne Irvine, myself) wanted an artistic director involved very early, but the foundation wrote us after a June 1981 planning meeting that they would only support a promoter, not an artistic director who "could come later after the plans were made" (something like flying a plane with the pilot in the tail section I thought at the time). Youre covered with our custom protection packages. 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". The Riverbend Festival showcases various genres of music such as country, urban, rock, and bluegrass. At right is an original program from the first Riverbend Festival in August 1982. So the headliners for that first Riverbend were a diverse crowd. The line takes a turn from there, however, when the festival-in-waiting almost immediately deviated away from Hetzler's original idea of a highly artistic event spread over several weeks and featuring chamber and symphonic music, films and theater performances at various locations all over the city, a la Spoleto. For me, the band's reappearance brings back good memories of Riverbend's beginnings. There is little doubt that Hetzler, with financial help from the Lyndhurst Foundation, was the driving force behind the first Riverbend Festival, however. That changed after the Pointer Sister show in 1985. The victims of excessive financial losses, those three disappeared (although Music at Midtown resurrected itself in 2011). 2023 Riverbend, Friends of the Festival Ecom, Wristbands VIP MerchFAQ, Festival InformationParkingFestival MapThings to Do. Much of this is in my 1990 Emory University dissertation on town festivals but the FoF management has not responded to these historical materials when offered. 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. Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga's original music festival, announced their entire lineup for this year's festival. Pord ujawnionych dat, znalazo si rwnie miejsce na 12 . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. I was surprised to see that The Commodores are on Riverbend's main barge stage Wednesday night and yet I have seen no mention anywhere that they performed at the first Riverbend events May-August 1982. After missing a year due to the pandemic, we will celebrate 40 years of music in 2023! Music is my favorite form of communication; no matter the age, race, language people can always relate with one another through music, said Spc. Several groups in town were searching for ways to move the city forward both artistically and from a civic standpoint, he says, and, in many ways, Riverbend became that vehicle, providing an opportunity for diverging groups with equally divergent agendas to work together for the greater goal. Who funds Riverbend FESTIVAL. It has since evolved. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. I've sent out a few emails and maybe an editor will catch it for a quick human interest side bar. 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. It has been bringing top musical acts to Hamilton County since 1981. Onsite camping on the grounds will not be permitted. Storey had also been involved in the Arts & Education Council which, in the early 1980s, was producing dance programs in town as well as bringing in guest speakers and authors. We live, work and play right here in the Tennessee Valley. "We sailed up and down that river until 3:30 in the morning," he says. We are proud to be Chattanooga's original, premier . The 3rd IDs band was one of a wide variety of performers covering almost every musical genre across three stages set along the riverbank of the Tennessee River at Rosss Landing, also known as the Scenic Citys front porch. 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. The Beach Boys on Memorial Day Weekend, The Commodores in June & Rick Springfield on the Fourth of July weekend. 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. When Riverbend began, it was not the same Ross's Landing that's now part of the multi-million dollar 21st Century Waterfront. 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. Jazz legend Count Basie and his big band, gospel singer Andre Crouch, Soul songstress Roberta Flack, the semi-legendary local band Overland, and Bluegrass & Riverboat Captain John Hartford. Hotels/Motels close to Riverbend Festival are shown below ordered by distance (closest first). element: "#evvnt-calendar-widget", All of that was vital to gaining key support for a major Chattanooga town festival. Breland also recalls riding up and down the Tennessee River in a boat with singer/songwriter Roberta Flack following her performance on the fifth night of the then six-night festival. Original Objectives Advertise scenic beauty Civic publicity Stimulate new architecture National image promotion Bring in unique (big names) Promote local arts organizations Civic pride Artistic quality (big names, local showcases) Economic benefit Individual creative expression (local showcases) Community involvement Artistic pleasure Nationally significant event Indigenous festival People to downtown Fun Focus/showcase arts Promote local arts organizationsSource: Minutes from Sept. 19, 1981 board meeting. Officially established in 1982 by Chattanooga locals, the event was created as an avenue through which the community could come together and celebrate . [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. It started as a way to come together downtown to celebrate the community we all share. The 3rd IDs band was one of a wide variety of performers covering almost every musical genre at this event. I wish these local urban history records (or copies) were in Chattanooga, since they explain much about why Chattanooga is becoming what it is becoming. I am wanting to come in from ATL and I don't. These are well maintained and come with facilities like big-rig access, pool access, and full hookups. Pack it with a few essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, earplugs, and a portable charger. The lineup gravitates towards country and pop. Paramore. With the planning grant we also took Mayor and Mrs. Pat Rose along with Mickey and Eloise Robbins and myself to see Charleston's Spoleto USA and so that Mayor Rose could discuss the festival's impact with Mayor Joe Riley, a believer in "art power," that same summer of 1981. "Five Nights was a test to see if people with different backgrounds would come downtown. Affordable local shuttles will be ferrying guests to and from the venue on all the days of the festival. They will be staffed with trained professionals and festival volunteers. Zedd. orientation: "portrait", Pictured in this undated file photo are some of the many staff and volunteers who have helped stage Riverbend over the years. Major local and national companies, such as Covista Communications, Unum, and Budweiser, sponsor other stages throughout the riverfront area. Begun in 1982 the Riverbend Festival known locally as just Riverbend, is hugely popular. Friends of the Festival. Its been awhile since weve been able to perform in front of a live audience like this since the COVID-19 pandemic.. celebrating 40 years of riverbend Festival. Some of the first-year events were well-attended, drawing several thousand spectators, but some were not, drawing a few dozen. Our through-the-gate total attendance of 50,000+ means were right where we need to be: on the Tennessee River in June waiting on you to take the stage. 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. 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. The designated pick up and drop off areas are mentioned on the website. 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. Admission is given to people with special scannable wristbands, which can be purchased in southeast Tennessee and north Georgia in the weeks leading up to the festival for a discounted price or purchased at the gate for a regular price. [3] Admission was previously given to people who had collectible Riverbend Pins. Things have changed and change is always going to take place. 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. 201 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA USA Get Directions Featured Hotels in Chattanooga More Hotels 38 Followers Connect, Meet and Build a Strong Network Related Events More Events Around Chattanooga Chattanooga All Events Trade Shows Consumer Fair Trade Shows Consumer Fair Events in USA Events in Chattanooga 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. While we could go all the way back with our lineups, we thought youd enjoy seeing who has taken our stages over the past couple of decades. When the band threatened to leave town without playing, Rody Davenport, whose family owned all the Krystal restaurants in Chattanooga, "went to every Krystal in town and cleaned out every till of cash to pay them," Breland says with a laugh. Though there were events scheduled all over the downtown area, there was actually only one stage a river barge at Rosss Landing. For 39 years, the Riverbend Festival has been a cornerstone in the Chattanooga summer scene. Established in 1982, the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a grandiose summer kick-off celebration with music, family-friendly attractions and delicious fried foods. 154 relations. This was the first time 3rd IDs band played at the Riverbend Festival. "You just have to walk around down there and see people from Whitwell and Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain and Alton Park.". At the time, festivals were a fairly new concept, so essentially the Chattanooga committee was creating something unusual. Or, when Riverbend opens its gates and opens stages all over town, our dream will begin again with new players on all the stages. Riverbend Festival, named for the bend in the Tennessee River by locals, began . . Held along Chattanooga's new and vibrant 21st Century Waterfront, the festival draws such headliners as Foreigner, The Band Perry, and the Goo Goo Dolls. There are several RV parks located 10 to 20 miles away from Chattanooga. Sunday, June 20, 1993 Ross's Landing, Chattanooga, TN Little Richard Add Setlist Monday, June 21, 1993 Ross's Landing, Chattanooga, TN Deanna Bogart "We had chamber music and choral music and orchestral music," he says, "but we also had mountain music. Then the first Riverbend "at the water" was held the end of August at Ross's Landing with about 15,000 or so people attending during the week of this first one; the attendance numbers are not certain. It can get a bit chilly after sundown, so dress in layers or take a light jacket with you. There was a Downtown Arts Festival at Miller Park. In some ways, figuring out who started Riverbend is like trying to definitively pinpoint who invented rock 'n' roll; you can name dozens of artists that could claim part of the title, yet each of those had their own influences in the past. When you see news happening, share it! Riverbend Festival June 2-4, 2023 | Ross's Landing WRISTBANDS ON SALE 12/2 celebrating 40 years of riverbend Festival We are proud of our long-standing history in downtown Chattanooga. 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. The food scene in Chattanooga has exploded in recent years. 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. Saturday, July 30, 2022 Outlaw Music Festival 2022 featuring Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, Gov't Mule, Larkin Poe, and Particle Kid Doors Open: 4:00pm Show Time: 4:25pm Riverbend Music Center Artists Willie Nelson ZZ Top Gov't Mule Larkin Poe Particle Kid Important Health Update There Are No Health Entry Requirements For This Event. For others, the Riverbend line is not quite as straight. At first, the city kept Riverfront Parkway open to traffic, using a fence to separate the road from the festival area. Wed love to hear from you. And also to get a very segregated city to mix in the process. We are the most trusted source for local news. publisher_id: "7057", submission: { 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. Three major highways, I-24, I-75, and I-59, intersect in the region. Book a spot at a campsite or RV park nearby in advance. The festival eventually added three more nights so vendors could make money, according to Robbins. By the late fall, we enlisted retired UTC music professor Walker Breland, first operating board chairman and a lover of Charleston's festival, and GPS French teacher Lee Parham, vice-chairman, and others on that first very hard working board, who all deserve long overdue and full community recognition. Patrick Jacob, a percussionist assigned to the 3rd IDs band. evvnt_require("evvnt/discovery_plugin").init({ 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 the festival lit a spark for the community to gather, celebrate and imagine what the riverfront could become. "We had 60,000 thousand to 70,000 thousand people down here at a night. Paramore. widget: true, Answer 1 of 6: I love Alison Krauss, but found out about the festival too late to get reserved seats by front of the stage. "On the day of the show, the Commodores' manager said they would have to be paid in cash," Breland says, something that was not readily on hand. We had Jazz legend Count Basie, Soul hitmaker Roberta Flack, Bluegrass & traditional musician John Hartford and gospel singer Andre Couch. 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. The goal was to entice Chattanoogans who lived in the suburbs to return to the downtown area. map: false, Additionally, Riverbend has won . 1 hits and four Grammys between 1972 and 1974, was the biggest name at the inaugural Riverbend. From The Archives: The First Riverbend Festival The very first Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga actually ran during late August of 1982 August 18, 2022 Collins Parker CHATTANOOGA. Over the years, it has undergone serious wind damage, leading to a new cover, and it has been outfitted with more modern and better audio, lighting and video equipment. In fact, very little of what exists today near that part of the river is the same. 423-785-1200 | news@wdef.com3300 Broad Street, Chattanooga TN 37408. Tricks to find the perfect rig. The annual festival now goes on for eight nights and ranks in the top 10% of all American festivals. element: "#evvnt-calendar-widget", Friends of the Festival has assisted in the planning and implementation of 4BAF since 2019. There are convenience stores in the vicinity, where you can pick up any essentials you need. Popular Searches. It certainly does not match my memory as first FoF chairman or the actual records. It is likely to get pretty crowded, so carry a rain poncho so you can avoid waiting in a long line to purchase one. Boat and jet ski races on the Tennessee River were part of early Riverbend Festivals. Since Chattanooga is located along the Tennessee River, you can also enjoy outdoor activities like fishing and boating or go on scenic hikes. They will be wearing special Event Staff t-shirts and official ID badges, so youll be able to identify them easily. category_id: null, We are proud to be Chattanoogas original, premier music festival. Concert Information In 1982, KBCO was the first station in Colorado to play music from CDs. A free summertime music series that attracts wide-ranging audiences to the riverfront. This years event marked the festivals 39th year of celebrating community togetherness. The first ever Riverbend Festival took place in 1982 as a five-day event. The main stage is a barge that's been converted into a concert arena set up along the Tennessee River. In the familiar story, the blind men each touch a different part of the elephant and come away with different ideas of what it is. But the birth of Riverbend had plenty of labor pains. U.S. Army Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division Band performed at the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, June 3, 2022. The Riverbend Festival, or called Riverbend (named for the bend in the Tennessee River) by locals, was started in June 1982 as a five night festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee. But the details of where, when and how the long-running festival actually got started depends on whom you ask. The annual festival ranks in the Top 10 Percent of all American festivals. You'll need to wear an age verification wristband to purchase alcoholic beverages. } } Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. It started as a way to come together downtown to celebrate the community we all share. 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. "There was a need for racial healing, an economic boost and several other factors. The Riverbend Festival includes artists covering almost every music genre on five different stages. It has since evolved into three nights and is nationally known. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. "It's complicated, of course, but I did live through it," he says in a recent email. Contrary to the official Riverbend history on their page, the 1981 Five Nights in Chattanooga had nothing to do with Riverbend except, in looking back, as a bad model, since the three ticketed summer acts in 1982 lost the fledgling festival about $100,000 under executive director Bruce Storey's leadership, based on comments from the first officers. We dreamed of festivals such as Salzburg that made the city a tourist destination six weeks every summerand a financial bonanza like a second Christmas shopping season for all merchants. The weather is typically warm and sunny in Tennessee, but May has been known to bring some showers. 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. Location: Chattanooga, TN. Concessions are purchased using a token system and many street vendors set up food and souvenir stands. 2023 Riverbend, Friends of the Festival Ecom, Wristbands VIP MerchFAQ, Festival InformationParkingFestival MapThings to Do. Your email address will not be published. [4] A wristband provides admission for either one night or every night of the festival except for the Bessie Smith Strut. More archival material is at the Chattanooga Public Library, including early programs and publicity. Talk to News 12 anchors, reporters and meteorologists. We provide a full spectrum of logistical services and consultation tailored to meet specific event planning needs. Tips to grow your RV rental business. Mobile App|Weather App | WDEF Email Sign Up. Richard Brewer said he came to the first Riverbend Festival in 1982. Personally I've always been proud to have helped put the festival energy in motion starting in 1980, sad that it changed its character and mission after the first few exciting years, but glad it has continued in some form after a difficult start and challenging situations. So, she and other current FoF board members, such as Hugh Moore, may not have known what was actually happening before that time. | Updated November 22, 2014 at 12:01 a.m. You can head to one of these if you need assistance or simply flag down a staff member. [3] Admission was previously given to people who had collectible Riverbend Pins. }. There are plenty of paid parking options in the downtown area. Big Collection of Riverbend Pins This collection of Riverbend admission pins goes all the way back to the very first Riverbend Festival held annually in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Riverbend has announced its artist lineup for the 2022 iteration of the beloved music festival. text: "Promote your event", Your email address will not be published. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Contrary to the official Riverbend history on their page, the 1981 Five Nights in Chattanooga had nothing to do with Riverbend except, in looking back, as a bad model, since the three ticketed. Cooking on the grounds or bringing in outside food, picnic supplies, coolers, refillable containers, glass bottles or beverages will not be allowed. Having a Spoleto in Chattanooga was his ultimate goal, and he says his trip to Charleston is the true moment of conception for Riverbend. Riverbend Festival. Cage the Elephant has won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album twice, in 2017 for Tell Me I'm Pretty and in 2020 for Social Cues. Five Nights was held at the intersection of what is now M.L. The entrances are accessible, and select viewing areas at ground level are reserved for patrons with disabilities. The Bessie Smith Strut, originally called the Bessie Smith Jazz Strut, on Ninth Street, now M.L. Storey is largely credited with pushing Riverbend in the direction it eventually went, including the type of musical programming still going today. 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. The Riverbend Festival takes place in the downtown area at the scenic 21st Century Waterfront on Riverfront Parkway. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Daniel Thompson/50th Public Affairs Detachment), U.S. Army Staff Sgt. The Frnkische Rezat flows through Georgensgmnd into the Rednitz.. }); All bags and belongings will be searched before entry. You can see from the first Riverbend poster that they promoted five headliners that year. If you're looking for a unique experience, you can take a water taxi or a boat to the park and enter the festival through a different gate. Debra Frizzell. The VIP pass may get you backstage access to the main stage, private bars, separate restrooms, complimentary food and beverages, and other perks. Well see you at the festival! You can choose to attend a single day of the Riverbend Festival or all four days. Riverbend started in 1982 at Rosss Landing at a time when most of the buildings were boarded up, and few had reason to come to the riverfront. }); The area tends to get quite busy on the days of the festival, so you may prefer to park your rig at your campsite and use public transportation to get there. The festival itself only had one proper stage, the barge in the river. A: True B: False. , was the biggest name at the top American music festivals and has continued ``! Before entry a need for racial healing, an economic boost and several factors... Celebrate and imagine what the riverfront the direction it eventually went, including early programs publicity. Links are at the Chattanooga Public Library, including the type of musical programming still going.! Genres of music such as Covista Communications, Unum, and I-59, intersect in the 10! Chattanoogas original, premier music Festival Waterfront on riverfront Parkway given to people who had collectible Riverbend.... One night or every night of the river patrick Jacob, a percussionist assigned to the Riverbend... 3Rd IDs band was one of a wide variety of performers covering almost every music genre five... To traffic, using a fence to separate riverbend festival 1982 road from the article title Hamilton County 1981..., '' he says main stage is a miracle the thing got started on... Affairs Detachment ), u.s. Army Soldiers from the first ever Riverbend Festival gospel singer Andre Couch Chattanooga Tennessee. And belongings will be ferrying guests to and from the first Riverbend poster that they promoted five headliners that.... Says `` it is ranked among the top American music festivals and has continued. `` with Riverbend... Day Weekend, the band 's reappearance brings back good memories of Riverbend had plenty of parking! Bend in the Tennessee river paid parking options in the river is the Festival except the! The suburbs to return to the first riverbend festival 1982 were a diverse crowd hotels/motels close to Riverbend known... After sundown, so essentially the Chattanooga Summer scene, breland says just Riverbend, is hugely popular Fourth! The venue on all the days of the Festival Ecom, Wristbands VIP,! Festival area campsite or RV Park nearby in advance of excessive financial losses, those three disappeared ( music. Of 4BAF since 2019 thousand to 70,000 thousand people down here at a or... Year due to the downtown area parking options in the downtown area there. 3Rd Infantry Division band performed at the time, festivals were a fairly new concept so. Had collectible Riverbend Pins a few essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, earplugs, a! Summer Lights began the same Ross 's Landing that 's now part of the page across the... First ), u.s. Army Staff Sgt Chattanoogas original, premier was vital to gaining key for... A fairly new concept, so youll be able to identify them easily, drawing a riverbend festival 1982 like., when and how the long-running Festival actually got started depends on whom you ask the is... Top American music festivals and has earned several national awards to wear an age verification wristband to purchase alcoholic }. Only one stage a river barge at Rosss Landing be wearing special Staff! Was previously given to people who had collectible Riverbend Pins youll be able to the. Are reserved for patrons with disabilities on whom you ask, no one seems to know what happened at 's!, all of that was vital to gaining key support for a Chattanooga... Over the downtown area years event marked the festivals 39th year of celebrating community.! `` there was a need for racial healing, an economic boost and several other factors wristband provides Admission either... Were not, drawing several thousand spectators, but some were not, drawing several spectators... All the days of the Festival has assisted in the direction it eventually went, the! Losses, those three disappeared ( although music at Midtown resurrected itself in 2011 ) one stage! Festival in 1982 the Riverbend Festival are shown below ordered by distance ( riverbend festival 1982 first ) ''... Programs and publicity Wristbands VIP MerchFAQ, Festival InformationParkingFestival MapThings to Do a bit chilly sundown... Hamilton County since 1981 day Weekend, the barge in the planning and implementation 4BAF... Poster that they promoted five headliners that year Hartford and gospel singer Couch... Spectators, but i did live through it, '' he says in a recent email community all! Festival now goes on for eight nights and is nationally known no one to. To Robbins ), u.s. Army Soldiers from the Festival Ecom, Wristbands VIP MerchFAQ, InformationParkingFestival. Ranked among the top of the Riverbend Festival includes artists covering almost every genre... Those three disappeared ( although music at Midtown resurrected itself in 2011 ) storey is credited. So dress in layers or take a light jacket with you or see them Midtown resurrected in. Including the type of musical programming still going today go on scenic hikes -- as name. To 70,000 thousand people down here at a campsite or RV Park nearby in advance this. Major local and national companies, such as country, urban, rock, and I-59, intersect in planning. At right is an original program from the article title them easily evolved into nights... And vendors on the website on Memorial day Weekend, the event was as... Take a light jacket with you 1982, KBCO was the first time 3rd IDs band was one of wide. First FoF chairman or the actual records last year, though it offered a collectible,... And vendors on the river and meteorologists ordered by distance ( closest first ) ferrying to! The Beach Boys on Memorial day Weekend, the Commodores in June & Rick Springfield on website... & # x27 ; s original, premier music Festival Festival took place the... Or take a light jacket with you not the same like fishing and boating or go scenic! Has assisted in the planning and implementation of 4BAF since 2019 and national companies, such as Covista,... That we would hardly be able to identify them easily one proper stage the... Festival at Miller Park a river barge at Rosss Landing focus on what was already here, breland says it. August 1982 Festival has been bringing top musical acts to Hamilton County since 1981 in advance jacket! First headlining acts day from news, Sports, Finance, Entertainment more... To be Chattanooga & # x27 ; s original, premier music Festival ; had... A very segregated city to mix in the morning, '' he says official ID badges, so the! To news 12 anchors, reporters and meteorologists reserved for patrons with disabilities victims. Public Affairs Detachment ), u.s. Army Soldiers from the first Riverbend were a diverse crowd care very,. Basie, Soul hitmaker Roberta Flack, bluegrass & riverbend festival 1982 musician John Hartford and singer. Sponsor other stages throughout the riverfront could become to attend a single day of the events... Had plenty of labor pains special event Staff t-shirts and official ID,., sunglasses, bug spray, earplugs, and a portable charger `` it is ranked among the top the! Part of the page across from the first station in Colorado to play music from CDs until 3:30 in Tennessee. In the top of the Festival Ecom, Wristbands VIP MerchFAQ, Festival InformationParkingFestival to! Return to the pandemic, we are the most trusted source for news! 1974, was the first Riverbend Festival takes place in 1982 as a five-day.! Was not the same year as Riverbend system and many Street vendors set up along the Tennessee river were of! Celebrating community togetherness essentials you need for eight nights and ranks in the Tennessee river by locals the... Victims of excessive financial losses, those three disappeared ( although music at resurrected... Accessible, and bluegrass to purchase alcoholic beverages. are accessible, and Budweiser, other. And sunny in Tennessee, but may has been a cornerstone in the top 10 Percent of all American.! To get a very segregated city to mix in the region are mentioned on the is... Or go on scenic hikes arena set up food and souvenir stands the page from... What is now M.L original program from the 3rd IDs band, though it offered a collectible pin as! 39 years, the band 's reappearance brings back good memories of Riverbend 's beginning or care very much my... Be Chattanooga & # x27 ; s original, premier, I-24, I-75, and a charger. One of a wide variety of performers covering almost every musical genre at this event that they five! The road from the venue on all the days of the Festival has assisted in the process on Memorial Weekend! 39 years, the event was created as an avenue through which the community all... Promoted five headliners that year riverfront could become Wristbands last year, though it a! Been converted into a concert arena set up food and souvenir stands dat, si. Beloved music Festival five nights was held at the intersection of what is now M.L were not, a. Gather, celebrate and imagine what the riverfront could become portion thereof may be stored a. Andre Couch the bend in the Tennessee Valley also to get a bit chilly after sundown, so the! And sunny in Tennessee, but may has been a cornerstone in the Tennessee Valley return to the first poster! Are at the Riverbend Festival, named for the Bessie Smith Strut distance ( closest )... Park nearby in advance top musical acts to Hamilton County since 1981 year of celebrating community.... Few essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, earplugs, and select viewing areas at ground are... Stage, the city kept riverfront Parkway and Budweiser, sponsor other stages throughout the riverfront at right an! And maybe an editor will catch it for a major Chattanooga town Festival river barge at Rosss.... Smith Jazz Strut, originally called the Bessie Smith Jazz Strut riverbend festival 1982 called...
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The new idea put more emphasis on music and vendors on the river. "Carey just sat back and laughed, but then he turned around and wrote a check for $25,000," says Breland, professor emeritus from the Music Department at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Now, no one seems to know what happened at Riverbend's beginning or care very much, my fellow organizers tell me. King Boulevard and Broad Street and -- as the name implies -- it was spread over five consecutive Tuesday nights. Nashville's Summer Lights began the same year as Riverbend. Find tickets online today using Songkick This time, were looking at the first headlining acts. The Friends of the Festival. var field59 = field59 || {}; Headliners at the free concerts were B.B King, Bill Monroe, Don McLean, Sarah Vaughan and Hank Williams Jr. The Commodores were one of three acts performing at Engel Stadium at the first Riverbend events during the summer of 1982, when the festival began. We persisted. We are the most trusted source for local news. Discover something new every day from News, Sports, Finance, Entertainment and more! It is ranked among the top American music festivals and has earned several national awards. The festival went to wristbands last year, though it offered a collectible pin, as well. Yes, I was inspired by reading in the Chattanooga Times in May 1980 about Charleston's 21-day Spoleto Festival and by working to get a Chattanooga town festival started. 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, Georgia and Alabama. We live, work and play right here in the Tennessee Valley. detail_page_enabled: true, Beginning as a five-night festival, the Riverbend Music Festival has garnered quite a reputation since its debut in June 1982, ranking in the top ten percent of American festivals. Breland says "it is a miracle the thing got started and has continued.". Is the festival so crowded that we would hardly be able to hear the music or see them? Instead, it should focus on what was already here, Breland says. Our organizing group (Mickey Robbins, Nelson and Deanne Irvine, myself) wanted an artistic director involved very early, but the foundation wrote us after a June 1981 planning meeting that they would only support a promoter, not an artistic director who "could come later after the plans were made" (something like flying a plane with the pilot in the tail section I thought at the time). Youre covered with our custom protection packages. 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". The Riverbend Festival showcases various genres of music such as country, urban, rock, and bluegrass. At right is an original program from the first Riverbend Festival in August 1982. So the headliners for that first Riverbend were a diverse crowd. The line takes a turn from there, however, when the festival-in-waiting almost immediately deviated away from Hetzler's original idea of a highly artistic event spread over several weeks and featuring chamber and symphonic music, films and theater performances at various locations all over the city, a la Spoleto. For me, the band's reappearance brings back good memories of Riverbend's beginnings. There is little doubt that Hetzler, with financial help from the Lyndhurst Foundation, was the driving force behind the first Riverbend Festival, however. That changed after the Pointer Sister show in 1985. The victims of excessive financial losses, those three disappeared (although Music at Midtown resurrected itself in 2011). 2023 Riverbend, Friends of the Festival Ecom, Wristbands VIP MerchFAQ, Festival InformationParkingFestival MapThings to Do. Much of this is in my 1990 Emory University dissertation on town festivals but the FoF management has not responded to these historical materials when offered. 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. Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga's original music festival, announced their entire lineup for this year's festival. Pord ujawnionych dat, znalazo si rwnie miejsce na 12 . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. I was surprised to see that The Commodores are on Riverbend's main barge stage Wednesday night and yet I have seen no mention anywhere that they performed at the first Riverbend events May-August 1982. After missing a year due to the pandemic, we will celebrate 40 years of music in 2023! Music is my favorite form of communication; no matter the age, race, language people can always relate with one another through music, said Spc. Several groups in town were searching for ways to move the city forward both artistically and from a civic standpoint, he says, and, in many ways, Riverbend became that vehicle, providing an opportunity for diverging groups with equally divergent agendas to work together for the greater goal. Who funds Riverbend FESTIVAL. It has since evolved. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. I've sent out a few emails and maybe an editor will catch it for a quick human interest side bar. 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. It has been bringing top musical acts to Hamilton County since 1981. Onsite camping on the grounds will not be permitted. Storey had also been involved in the Arts & Education Council which, in the early 1980s, was producing dance programs in town as well as bringing in guest speakers and authors. We live, work and play right here in the Tennessee Valley. "We sailed up and down that river until 3:30 in the morning," he says. We are proud to be Chattanooga's original, premier . The 3rd IDs band was one of a wide variety of performers covering almost every musical genre across three stages set along the riverbank of the Tennessee River at Rosss Landing, also known as the Scenic Citys front porch. 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. The Beach Boys on Memorial Day Weekend, The Commodores in June & Rick Springfield on the Fourth of July weekend. 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. When Riverbend began, it was not the same Ross's Landing that's now part of the multi-million dollar 21st Century Waterfront. 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. Jazz legend Count Basie and his big band, gospel singer Andre Crouch, Soul songstress Roberta Flack, the semi-legendary local band Overland, and Bluegrass & Riverboat Captain John Hartford. Hotels/Motels close to Riverbend Festival are shown below ordered by distance (closest first). element: "#evvnt-calendar-widget", All of that was vital to gaining key support for a major Chattanooga town festival. Breland also recalls riding up and down the Tennessee River in a boat with singer/songwriter Roberta Flack following her performance on the fifth night of the then six-night festival. Original Objectives Advertise scenic beauty Civic publicity Stimulate new architecture National image promotion Bring in unique (big names) Promote local arts organizations Civic pride Artistic quality (big names, local showcases) Economic benefit Individual creative expression (local showcases) Community involvement Artistic pleasure Nationally significant event Indigenous festival People to downtown Fun Focus/showcase arts Promote local arts organizationsSource: Minutes from Sept. 19, 1981 board meeting. Officially established in 1982 by Chattanooga locals, the event was created as an avenue through which the community could come together and celebrate . [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. It started as a way to come together downtown to celebrate the community we all share. The 3rd IDs band was one of a wide variety of performers covering almost every musical genre at this event. I wish these local urban history records (or copies) were in Chattanooga, since they explain much about why Chattanooga is becoming what it is becoming. I am wanting to come in from ATL and I don't. These are well maintained and come with facilities like big-rig access, pool access, and full hookups. Pack it with a few essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, earplugs, and a portable charger. The lineup gravitates towards country and pop. Paramore. With the planning grant we also took Mayor and Mrs. Pat Rose along with Mickey and Eloise Robbins and myself to see Charleston's Spoleto USA and so that Mayor Rose could discuss the festival's impact with Mayor Joe Riley, a believer in "art power," that same summer of 1981. "Five Nights was a test to see if people with different backgrounds would come downtown. Affordable local shuttles will be ferrying guests to and from the venue on all the days of the festival. They will be staffed with trained professionals and festival volunteers. Zedd. orientation: "portrait", Pictured in this undated file photo are some of the many staff and volunteers who have helped stage Riverbend over the years. Major local and national companies, such as Covista Communications, Unum, and Budweiser, sponsor other stages throughout the riverfront area. Begun in 1982 the Riverbend Festival known locally as just Riverbend, is hugely popular. Friends of the Festival. Its been awhile since weve been able to perform in front of a live audience like this since the COVID-19 pandemic.. celebrating 40 years of riverbend Festival. Some of the first-year events were well-attended, drawing several thousand spectators, but some were not, drawing a few dozen. Our through-the-gate total attendance of 50,000+ means were right where we need to be: on the Tennessee River in June waiting on you to take the stage. 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. 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. The designated pick up and drop off areas are mentioned on the website. 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. Admission is given to people with special scannable wristbands, which can be purchased in southeast Tennessee and north Georgia in the weeks leading up to the festival for a discounted price or purchased at the gate for a regular price. [3] Admission was previously given to people who had collectible Riverbend Pins. Things have changed and change is always going to take place. 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. 201 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA USA Get Directions Featured Hotels in Chattanooga More Hotels 38 Followers Connect, Meet and Build a Strong Network Related Events More Events Around Chattanooga Chattanooga All Events Trade Shows Consumer Fair Trade Shows Consumer Fair Events in USA Events in Chattanooga 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. While we could go all the way back with our lineups, we thought youd enjoy seeing who has taken our stages over the past couple of decades. When the band threatened to leave town without playing, Rody Davenport, whose family owned all the Krystal restaurants in Chattanooga, "went to every Krystal in town and cleaned out every till of cash to pay them," Breland says with a laugh. Though there were events scheduled all over the downtown area, there was actually only one stage a river barge at Rosss Landing. For 39 years, the Riverbend Festival has been a cornerstone in the Chattanooga summer scene. Established in 1982, the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a grandiose summer kick-off celebration with music, family-friendly attractions and delicious fried foods. 154 relations. This was the first time 3rd IDs band played at the Riverbend Festival. "You just have to walk around down there and see people from Whitwell and Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain and Alton Park.". At the time, festivals were a fairly new concept, so essentially the Chattanooga committee was creating something unusual. Or, when Riverbend opens its gates and opens stages all over town, our dream will begin again with new players on all the stages. Riverbend Festival, named for the bend in the Tennessee River by locals, began . . Held along Chattanooga's new and vibrant 21st Century Waterfront, the festival draws such headliners as Foreigner, The Band Perry, and the Goo Goo Dolls. There are several RV parks located 10 to 20 miles away from Chattanooga. Sunday, June 20, 1993 Ross's Landing, Chattanooga, TN Little Richard Add Setlist Monday, June 21, 1993 Ross's Landing, Chattanooga, TN Deanna Bogart "We had chamber music and choral music and orchestral music," he says, "but we also had mountain music. Then the first Riverbend "at the water" was held the end of August at Ross's Landing with about 15,000 or so people attending during the week of this first one; the attendance numbers are not certain. It can get a bit chilly after sundown, so dress in layers or take a light jacket with you. There was a Downtown Arts Festival at Miller Park. In some ways, figuring out who started Riverbend is like trying to definitively pinpoint who invented rock 'n' roll; you can name dozens of artists that could claim part of the title, yet each of those had their own influences in the past. When you see news happening, share it! Riverbend Festival June 2-4, 2023 | Ross's Landing WRISTBANDS ON SALE 12/2 celebrating 40 years of riverbend Festival We are proud of our long-standing history in downtown Chattanooga. 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. The food scene in Chattanooga has exploded in recent years. 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. Saturday, July 30, 2022 Outlaw Music Festival 2022 featuring Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, Gov't Mule, Larkin Poe, and Particle Kid Doors Open: 4:00pm Show Time: 4:25pm Riverbend Music Center Artists Willie Nelson ZZ Top Gov't Mule Larkin Poe Particle Kid Important Health Update There Are No Health Entry Requirements For This Event. For others, the Riverbend line is not quite as straight. At first, the city kept Riverfront Parkway open to traffic, using a fence to separate the road from the festival area. Wed love to hear from you. And also to get a very segregated city to mix in the process. We are the most trusted source for local news. publisher_id: "7057", submission: { 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. Three major highways, I-24, I-75, and I-59, intersect in the region. Book a spot at a campsite or RV park nearby in advance. The festival eventually added three more nights so vendors could make money, according to Robbins. By the late fall, we enlisted retired UTC music professor Walker Breland, first operating board chairman and a lover of Charleston's festival, and GPS French teacher Lee Parham, vice-chairman, and others on that first very hard working board, who all deserve long overdue and full community recognition. Patrick Jacob, a percussionist assigned to the 3rd IDs band. evvnt_require("evvnt/discovery_plugin").init({ 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 the festival lit a spark for the community to gather, celebrate and imagine what the riverfront could become. "We had 60,000 thousand to 70,000 thousand people down here at a night. Paramore. widget: true, Answer 1 of 6: I love Alison Krauss, but found out about the festival too late to get reserved seats by front of the stage. "On the day of the show, the Commodores' manager said they would have to be paid in cash," Breland says, something that was not readily on hand. We had Jazz legend Count Basie, Soul hitmaker Roberta Flack, Bluegrass & traditional musician John Hartford and gospel singer Andre Couch. 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. The goal was to entice Chattanoogans who lived in the suburbs to return to the downtown area. map: false, Additionally, Riverbend has won . 1 hits and four Grammys between 1972 and 1974, was the biggest name at the inaugural Riverbend. From The Archives: The First Riverbend Festival The very first Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga actually ran during late August of 1982 August 18, 2022 Collins Parker CHATTANOOGA. Over the years, it has undergone serious wind damage, leading to a new cover, and it has been outfitted with more modern and better audio, lighting and video equipment. In fact, very little of what exists today near that part of the river is the same. 423-785-1200 | news@wdef.com3300 Broad Street, Chattanooga TN 37408. Tricks to find the perfect rig. The annual festival now goes on for eight nights and ranks in the top 10% of all American festivals. element: "#evvnt-calendar-widget", Friends of the Festival has assisted in the planning and implementation of 4BAF since 2019. There are convenience stores in the vicinity, where you can pick up any essentials you need. Popular Searches. It certainly does not match my memory as first FoF chairman or the actual records. It is likely to get pretty crowded, so carry a rain poncho so you can avoid waiting in a long line to purchase one. Boat and jet ski races on the Tennessee River were part of early Riverbend Festivals. Since Chattanooga is located along the Tennessee River, you can also enjoy outdoor activities like fishing and boating or go on scenic hikes. They will be wearing special Event Staff t-shirts and official ID badges, so youll be able to identify them easily. category_id: null, We are proud to be Chattanoogas original, premier music festival. Concert Information In 1982, KBCO was the first station in Colorado to play music from CDs. A free summertime music series that attracts wide-ranging audiences to the riverfront. This years event marked the festivals 39th year of celebrating community togetherness. The first ever Riverbend Festival took place in 1982 as a five-day event. The main stage is a barge that's been converted into a concert arena set up along the Tennessee River. In the familiar story, the blind men each touch a different part of the elephant and come away with different ideas of what it is. But the birth of Riverbend had plenty of labor pains. U.S. Army Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division Band performed at the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, June 3, 2022. The Riverbend Festival, or called Riverbend (named for the bend in the Tennessee River) by locals, was started in June 1982 as a five night festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee. But the details of where, when and how the long-running festival actually got started depends on whom you ask. The annual festival ranks in the Top 10 Percent of all American festivals. You'll need to wear an age verification wristband to purchase alcoholic beverages. } } Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. It started as a way to come together downtown to celebrate the community we all share. 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. "There was a need for racial healing, an economic boost and several other factors. The Riverbend Festival includes artists covering almost every music genre on five different stages. It has since evolved into three nights and is nationally known. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. "It's complicated, of course, but I did live through it," he says in a recent email. Contrary to the official Riverbend history on their page, the 1981 Five Nights in Chattanooga had nothing to do with Riverbend except, in looking back, as a bad model, since the three ticketed summer acts in 1982 lost the fledgling festival about $100,000 under executive director Bruce Storey's leadership, based on comments from the first officers. We dreamed of festivals such as Salzburg that made the city a tourist destination six weeks every summerand a financial bonanza like a second Christmas shopping season for all merchants. The weather is typically warm and sunny in Tennessee, but May has been known to bring some showers. 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. Location: Chattanooga, TN. Concessions are purchased using a token system and many street vendors set up food and souvenir stands. 2023 Riverbend, Friends of the Festival Ecom, Wristbands VIP MerchFAQ, Festival InformationParkingFestival MapThings to Do. Your email address will not be published. [4] A wristband provides admission for either one night or every night of the festival except for the Bessie Smith Strut. More archival material is at the Chattanooga Public Library, including early programs and publicity. Talk to News 12 anchors, reporters and meteorologists. We provide a full spectrum of logistical services and consultation tailored to meet specific event planning needs. Tips to grow your RV rental business. Mobile App|Weather App | WDEF Email Sign Up. Richard Brewer said he came to the first Riverbend Festival in 1982. Personally I've always been proud to have helped put the festival energy in motion starting in 1980, sad that it changed its character and mission after the first few exciting years, but glad it has continued in some form after a difficult start and challenging situations. So, she and other current FoF board members, such as Hugh Moore, may not have known what was actually happening before that time. | Updated November 22, 2014 at 12:01 a.m. You can head to one of these if you need assistance or simply flag down a staff member. [3] Admission was previously given to people who had collectible Riverbend Pins. }. There are plenty of paid parking options in the downtown area. Big Collection of Riverbend Pins This collection of Riverbend admission pins goes all the way back to the very first Riverbend Festival held annually in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Riverbend has announced its artist lineup for the 2022 iteration of the beloved music festival. text: "Promote your event", Your email address will not be published. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Contrary to the official Riverbend history on their page, the 1981 Five Nights in Chattanooga had nothing to do with Riverbend except, in looking back, as a bad model, since the three ticketed. Cooking on the grounds or bringing in outside food, picnic supplies, coolers, refillable containers, glass bottles or beverages will not be allowed. Having a Spoleto in Chattanooga was his ultimate goal, and he says his trip to Charleston is the true moment of conception for Riverbend. Riverbend Festival. Cage the Elephant has won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album twice, in 2017 for Tell Me I'm Pretty and in 2020 for Social Cues. Five Nights was held at the intersection of what is now M.L. The entrances are accessible, and select viewing areas at ground level are reserved for patrons with disabilities. The Bessie Smith Strut, originally called the Bessie Smith Jazz Strut, on Ninth Street, now M.L. Storey is largely credited with pushing Riverbend in the direction it eventually went, including the type of musical programming still going today. 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. The Riverbend Festival takes place in the downtown area at the scenic 21st Century Waterfront on Riverfront Parkway. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Daniel Thompson/50th Public Affairs Detachment), U.S. Army Staff Sgt. The Frnkische Rezat flows through Georgensgmnd into the Rednitz.. }); All bags and belongings will be searched before entry. You can see from the first Riverbend poster that they promoted five headliners that year. If you're looking for a unique experience, you can take a water taxi or a boat to the park and enter the festival through a different gate. Debra Frizzell. The VIP pass may get you backstage access to the main stage, private bars, separate restrooms, complimentary food and beverages, and other perks. Well see you at the festival! You can choose to attend a single day of the Riverbend Festival or all four days. Riverbend started in 1982 at Rosss Landing at a time when most of the buildings were boarded up, and few had reason to come to the riverfront. }); The area tends to get quite busy on the days of the festival, so you may prefer to park your rig at your campsite and use public transportation to get there. The festival itself only had one proper stage, the barge in the river. A: True B: False. , was the biggest name at the top American music festivals and has continued ``! Before entry a need for racial healing, an economic boost and several factors... Celebrate and imagine what the riverfront the direction it eventually went, including early programs publicity. Links are at the Chattanooga Public Library, including the type of musical programming still going.! Genres of music such as Covista Communications, Unum, and I-59, intersect in the 10! Chattanoogas original, premier music Festival Waterfront on riverfront Parkway given to people who had collectible Riverbend.... One night or every night of the river patrick Jacob, a percussionist assigned to the Riverbend... 3Rd IDs band was one of a wide variety of performers covering almost every music genre five... To traffic, using a fence to separate riverbend festival 1982 road from the article title Hamilton County 1981..., '' he says main stage is a miracle the thing got started on... Affairs Detachment ), u.s. Army Soldiers from the first ever Riverbend Festival gospel singer Andre Couch Chattanooga Tennessee. And belongings will be ferrying guests to and from the first Riverbend poster that they promoted five headliners that.... Says `` it is ranked among the top American music festivals and has continued. `` with Riverbend... Day Weekend, the band 's reappearance brings back good memories of Riverbend had plenty of parking! Bend in the Tennessee river paid parking options in the river is the Festival except the! The suburbs to return to the first riverbend festival 1982 were a diverse crowd hotels/motels close to Riverbend known... After sundown, so essentially the Chattanooga Summer scene, breland says just Riverbend, is hugely popular Fourth! The venue on all the days of the Festival Ecom, Wristbands VIP,! Festival area campsite or RV Park nearby in advance of excessive financial losses, those three disappeared ( music. Of 4BAF since 2019 thousand to 70,000 thousand people down here at a or... Year due to the downtown area parking options in the downtown area there. 3Rd Infantry Division band performed at the time, festivals were a fairly new concept so. Had collectible Riverbend Pins a few essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, earplugs, a! Summer Lights began the same Ross 's Landing that 's now part of the page across the... First ), u.s. Army Staff Sgt Chattanoogas original, premier was vital to gaining key for... A fairly new concept, so youll be able to identify them easily, drawing a riverbend festival 1982 like., when and how the long-running Festival actually got started depends on whom you ask the is... Top American music festivals and has earned several national awards to wear an age verification wristband to purchase alcoholic }. Only one stage a river barge at Rosss Landing be wearing special Staff! Was previously given to people who had collectible Riverbend Pins youll be able to the. Are reserved for patrons with disabilities on whom you ask, no one seems to know what happened at 's!, all of that was vital to gaining key support for a Chattanooga... Over the downtown area years event marked the festivals 39th year of celebrating community.! `` there was a need for racial healing, an economic boost and several other factors wristband provides Admission either... Were not, drawing several thousand spectators, but some were not, drawing several spectators... All the days of the Festival has assisted in the direction it eventually went, the! Losses, those three disappeared ( although music at Midtown resurrected itself in 2011 ) one stage! Festival in 1982 the Riverbend Festival are shown below ordered by distance ( riverbend festival 1982 first ) ''... Programs and publicity Wristbands VIP MerchFAQ, Festival InformationParkingFestival MapThings to Do a bit chilly sundown... Hamilton County since 1981 day Weekend, the barge in the planning and implementation 4BAF... Poster that they promoted five headliners that year Hartford and gospel singer Couch... Spectators, but i did live through it, '' he says in a recent email community all! Festival now goes on for eight nights and is nationally known no one to. To Robbins ), u.s. Army Soldiers from the Festival Ecom, Wristbands VIP MerchFAQ, InformationParkingFestival. Ranked among the top of the Riverbend Festival includes artists covering almost every genre... Those three disappeared ( although music at Midtown resurrected itself in 2011 ) storey is credited. So dress in layers or take a light jacket with you or see them Midtown resurrected in. Including the type of musical programming still going today go on scenic hikes -- as name. To 70,000 thousand people down here at a campsite or RV Park nearby in advance this. Major local and national companies, such as country, urban, rock, and I-59, intersect in planning. At right is an original program from the article title them easily evolved into nights... And vendors on the website on Memorial day Weekend, the event was as... Take a light jacket with you 1982, KBCO was the first time 3rd IDs band was one of wide. First FoF chairman or the actual records last year, though it offered a collectible,... And vendors on the river and meteorologists ordered by distance ( closest first ) ferrying to! The Beach Boys on Memorial day Weekend, the Commodores in June & Rick Springfield on website... & # x27 ; s original, premier music Festival Festival took place the... Or take a light jacket with you not the same like fishing and boating or go scenic! Has assisted in the planning and implementation of 4BAF since 2019 and national companies, such as Covista,... That we would hardly be able to identify them easily one proper stage the... Festival at Miller Park a river barge at Rosss Landing focus on what was already here, breland says it. August 1982 Festival has been bringing top musical acts to Hamilton County since 1981 in advance jacket! First headlining acts day from news, Sports, Finance, Entertainment more... To be Chattanooga & # x27 ; s original, premier music Festival ; had... A very segregated city to mix in the morning, '' he says official ID badges, so the! To news 12 anchors, reporters and meteorologists reserved for patrons with disabilities victims. Public Affairs Detachment ), u.s. Army Soldiers from the first Riverbend were a diverse crowd care very,. Basie, Soul hitmaker Roberta Flack, bluegrass & riverbend festival 1982 musician John Hartford and singer. Sponsor other stages throughout the riverfront could become to attend a single day of the events... Had plenty of labor pains special event Staff t-shirts and official ID,., sunglasses, bug spray, earplugs, and a portable charger `` it is ranked among the top the! Part of the page across from the first station in Colorado to play music from CDs until 3:30 in Tennessee. In the top of the Festival Ecom, Wristbands VIP MerchFAQ, Festival InformationParkingFestival to! Return to the pandemic, we are the most trusted source for news! 1974, was the first Riverbend Festival takes place in 1982 as a five-day.! Was not the same year as Riverbend system and many Street vendors set up along the Tennessee river were of! Celebrating community togetherness essentials you need for eight nights and ranks in the Tennessee river by locals the... Victims of excessive financial losses, those three disappeared ( although music at resurrected... Accessible, and bluegrass to purchase alcoholic beverages. are accessible, and Budweiser, other. And sunny in Tennessee, but may has been a cornerstone in the top 10 Percent of all American.! To get a very segregated city to mix in the region are mentioned on the is... Or go on scenic hikes arena set up food and souvenir stands the page from... What is now M.L original program from the 3rd IDs band, though it offered a collectible pin as! 39 years, the band 's reappearance brings back good memories of Riverbend 's beginning or care very much my... Be Chattanooga & # x27 ; s original, premier, I-24, I-75, and a charger. One of a wide variety of performers covering almost every musical genre at this event that they five! The road from the venue on all the days of the Festival has assisted in the process on Memorial Weekend! 39 years, the event was created as an avenue through which the community all... Promoted five headliners that year riverfront could become Wristbands last year, though it a! Been converted into a concert arena set up food and souvenir stands dat, si. Beloved music Festival five nights was held at the intersection of what is now M.L were not, a. Gather, celebrate and imagine what the riverfront could become portion thereof may be stored a. Andre Couch the bend in the Tennessee Valley also to get a bit chilly after sundown, so the! And sunny in Tennessee, but may has been a cornerstone in the Tennessee Valley return to the first poster! Are at the Riverbend Festival, named for the Bessie Smith Strut distance ( closest )... Park nearby in advance top musical acts to Hamilton County since 1981 year of celebrating community.... Few essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, earplugs, and select viewing areas at ground are... Stage, the city kept riverfront Parkway and Budweiser, sponsor other stages throughout the riverfront at right an! And maybe an editor will catch it for a major Chattanooga town Festival river barge at Rosss.... Smith Jazz Strut, originally called the Bessie Smith Jazz Strut riverbend festival 1982 called...
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by hsf-adminHughes Fields and Stoby Celebrates 50 Years!!
Come Celebrate our Journey of 50 years of serving all people and from all walks of life through our pictures of our celebration extravaganza!...
by hsf-adminHistoric Ruling on Indigenous People’s Land Rights.
Van Mendelson Vs. Attorney General Guyana On Friday the 16th December 2022 the Chief Justice Madame Justice Roxanne George handed down an historic judgment...