WHO ARE WE? Launched in 1982, Friends of the Festival is a non-profit organization that was created to attract sponsors, promote, set up, and produce Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga’s first and original music festival held in the heart of downtown on the banks of the Tennessee River. OUR MISSION Friends of the Festival is experienced in event production in the greater Chattanooga area with expertise in planning, implementation and management. Using 40+ years of experience, we lend our expertise, resources and partnerships to other organizations. We provide a full spectrum of logistical services and consultation tailored to meet specific event planning needs. RIVERBEND FESTIVAL Riverbend Festival, or Riverbend, named for the bend in the Tennessee River by locals, began in June of 1982 as a five-night festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It started as a way to come together downtown to celebrate the community we all share. After missing a year due to the pandemic, we will celebrate 40 years of music in 2023! We are proud to be Chattanooga’s original, premier music festival. The annual festival has evolved into three nights, and ranks in the top 10% of all American festivals. A wide variety of performers covering almost every music genre entertain the crowd on our three stages set along the backdrop of the Tennessee River at Ross’s Landing, also known as the Scenic City’s front porch.