Riverbend expecting another big year

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Scenic City Staple will be headlining the Chattanooga Riverfront this weekend.

Since its start in 1982, the Riverbend Festival has undergone many changes.

For its 2023 edition, many of Riverbend’s features will be similar to last year’s edition.

For many years it was a 9 day festival, but last year, it was condensed into a 3-day format.

Organizers say the move to a more traditional weekend schedule seems to be paying off so far.

The chairman of the Friends of the Festival, Mickey McCamish, said, “People feel like it is more like a festival. If you look at all of the festivals, rarely do you now ever see an 8 day or a 9 day festival, they’re all in a two to three day range festival. So it’s basically saying, Riverbend understands that’s the direction the industry is moving.”

The main headliners for this festival this year include Maren Morris, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Trombone Shorty.

The acts will be spread out over three stages; the Coca-Cola, Ultra, and Cheverolet Stages.

 One big change can be found here at the Ultra Stage.

Artificial turf has been placed on the parking lot next to the stage in an attempt to absorb heat to make a more comfortable atmosphere for concert goers. 

Attendees will also have the opportunity to test drive electric vehicles.

Organizers say that security planning is a year round process.

McCamish said, “During last year’s festival, you start evaluating the security and safety we had in place then. I will add we did not have any arrests in Riverbend last year.”

The economic impact from the festival is estimated to be around 30 million dollars per a study from the U-T-C College of Business. 

McCamish said, “We brought in and sold wristbands to 48, almost to all 50 states last year plus six foreign countries so it shows that it is bringing in the people.”

He estimates that it is about a 60-40 split in the crowd leaning towards more locally based attendees.

If you would like to be among them, wristbands for Friday and Sunday are still available, with Saturday being sold out.

McCamish said, “It’s nice to be able to have a festival and to be able to make it a part of the Chattanooga culture.”