Courter: "Camping" at Riverbend a new experience

I’ve attended Riverbend pretty much from the beginning. Sure, I’ve missed a year or two, but not many.

Tonight I did something I’ve never done and it might make me rethink how I attend in the future. I’ve always been a cruiser, spending the evening strolling up and down the entire length of the layout, stopping here and there to hear a band or visit with people.

For a couple of years when the kids were old enough to roam a little bit, but not be cut loose, we hung by the old smokestack area, but even then we walked.

Tonight, I went with some friends who were “campers.” For years, while I was walking, they were comfortably sitting in their chairs letting the action come to them. You know these folks. They are the ones who get there early, set up their chairs and blankets and then go eat somewhere. We went to Easy Bistro and had a very nice, leisurely dinner. I was surprised that it wasn’t more crowded, but noted that while most of the downtown restaurants were busy, they were not packed.

We then headed back to the chairs and settled in.

It was a lot of fun. People watching is taken to a whole new level as the people come to you. Friends stroll by and say hello and a few offer beverages.

Doing Riverbend this way doesn’t allow for a lot of music listening, but parking is easier, the meal was good, the company great and the evening was a lot of fun.