Filed by Mike O’Neal
Heat was a constant topic of conversation among the first day Riverbend Festival crowd, as people sought shade, cold drinks and fans.
But not everyone came to the festival by choice, they came to work.
Among the coolest jobs at Riverbend is keeping a constant supply of ice on hand for vendors throughout the festival grounds.
Cries of “One dollar to touch the ice!” heralded the advance of four young men pulling a pallet under the broiling late Friday afternoon sun near the Passage.
“We work all night but get to see everything,” said Lance Bramlett as he worked in a human chain that moved 20 pound bags of ice from a pallet to an ice box.
Connor Chitwood said this was the third year he, Mr. Bramlett, Clayton Napier and Matt Boyd have worked for Dalton, Ga.-based Reddy Ice.
While Mr. Napier said he looked forward to hearing Hank Williams Jr. and seeing Sugarland, he had no other favorites.
“We’re here 15-18 hours if we like the bands or not,” said Mr. Boyd, as he tossed another of the 42 bag load into the cooler.
While the icemen were wet with melted ice, policemen patrolling the festival site glistened with sweat.
While on duty, an officer’s only concession to the heat is the addition of white baseball caps to their uniform and bottled water to their gear.
Chattanooga Police Deputy Chief Skip Vaugh wore the dark blue uniform, complete with hot and heavy bulletproof vest, as he walked along a Riverfront Parkway crowded with people clothed in shorts and sandals.
The deputy chief said he would prefer buying a Hank Williams, Jr. recording rather than oversee Riverbend security.
“We’ve both lived long and eventful lives,” said Chattanooga Police Deputy Chief Skip Vaughn as he patrolled the festival site before “Bocephus” took the stage. “We’ve probably both worn out a couple of bodies.”
E-mail Mike O’Neal at moneal@timesfreepress.com
Heat was a constant topic of conversation among the first day Riverbend Festival crowd, as people sought shade, cold drinks and fans.
But not everyone came to the festival by choice, they came to work.
Among the coolest jobs at Riverbend is keeping a constant supply of ice on hand for vendors throughout the festival grounds.
Cries of “One dollar to touch the ice!” heralded the advance of four young men pulling a pallet under the broiling late Friday afternoon sun near the Passage.
“We work all night but get to see everything,” said Lance Bramlett as he worked in a human chain that moved 20 pound bags of ice from a pallet to an ice box.
Connor Chitwood said this was the third year he, Mr. Bramlett, Clayton Napier and Matt Boyd have worked for Dalton, Ga.-based Reddy Ice.
While Mr. Napier said he looked forward to hearing Hank Williams Jr. and seeing Sugarland, he had no other favorites.
“We’re here 15-18 hours if we like the bands or not,” said Mr. Boyd, as he tossed another of the 42 bag load into the cooler.
While the icemen were wet with melted ice, policemen patrolling the festival site glistened with sweat.
While on duty, an officer’s only concession to the heat is the addition of white baseball caps to their uniform and bottled water to their gear.
Chattanooga Police Deputy Chief Skip Vaugh wore the dark blue uniform, complete with hot and heavy bulletproof vest, as he walked along a Riverfront Parkway crowded with people clothed in shorts and sandals.
The deputy chief said he would prefer buying a Hank Williams, Jr. recording rather than oversee Riverbend security.
“We’ve both lived long and eventful lives,” said Chattanooga Police Deputy Chief Skip Vaughn as he patrolled the festival site before “Bocephus” took the stage. “We’ve probably both worn out a couple of bodies.”
E-mail Mike O’Neal at moneal@timesfreepress.com
