The Riverbend Festival has been a signature event in the Scenic City for as long as many Chattanoogans can remember.
The event grew from a small gathering with a few performers and fans for a weekend of music to an 8-day celebration that attracts more than 600,000 people each summer. Now the festival offers five stages with more than 100 bands across genres from classic rock to country to bluegrass.
Headlining this year’s festival are REO Speedwagon, Country singer Chris Young, rappers Salt-N-Pepa, classic rock band 38 Special and Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring "American Idol" runner-up Bo Bice. Some of the many other acts include Kane Brown, Delta Deep, Here Come the Mummies, Led Zeppelin tribute band Get The Led Out, Trampled By Turtles and Chris Young. In addition, Voices of Lee from Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. will be performing on Faith & Family Night.
For the first time in years, the festival will open early at 3 p.m. (instead of 5 p.m.) on June 18 to offer live wrestling matches. AWF Live Pro Wrestling from Ringgold will have matches at 4 and 7 p.m. under the Olgiati Bridge.
Although the traditional Riverbed pins were replaced last year with wristbands, much to collectors’ dismay, the scannable codes on the wristbands will be used to automatically enter visitors into a drawing for a $20,000 travel trailer from Dunlap RV in Ringgold.
For a full schedule and line-up of the musical artists at this year’s festival, visit riverbendfestival.com/schedule.
