It all started with a group of community organizers who wanted to address the division in the city and lack of activity downtown. Their goal was to create an event that would draw from all walks of life in the community to gather together and enjoy a common language: music.
5 Nights in Chattanooga began in 1981. Headlining the small festival was B.B King, Bill Monroe & the Blue Grass Boys, Don McLean, Sarah Vaughn, and Hank Williams, Jr. Little did organizers know that the Festival would take on a life of itself and continue to grow into what it has become today. After the 1981 event, the name was changed to the Riverbend Festival, and today it has become one of the top music festivals in the country. The Riverbend Festival has become a major festival with economic impact of over $23 million dollars per year. True to its roots, the Riverbend Festival has continued to offer a great musical event that continues to bring the community together.
Riverbend has also become a destination event that attracts festival goers from all over the South. From Knoxville, to Atlanta fans of the Festival have learned what locals have known for over three decades…Riverbend is is truly a great event! Come join us every June for the Riverbend Festival.
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