Riverbend fashions

Riverbend not only offers 10 days of entertainment, it also provides a sea of fashion choices.

From high heels and sequined clothing to halter tops and cutoff jeans, the fashions at the annual festival are as a varied as the people who wear them.

Most festivalgoers say the heat is a factor when choosing their attire for the night.

"I typically wear shorts, but this year I chose a skirt," said Linda Simmons, 42, who picked lightweight clothing to wear to the Bessie Smith Strut. "It gets so hot and humid, and there's really no way to be cool, but I would never let the heat keep me away from the strut."

Rodney Harris, 18, said going shirtless is the best way to take the heat. Shirts are required for concerts on the riverfront, but he chose the cooler option for the strut.

"It's just too hot to wear a lot of clothing," he said. "The strut is about having fun, and I have more fun if I'm not too hot."

Mr. Harris attended the strut with friends Deiontae Griffin, 14, Deangelo Lovingood, 19, and Darrius Williams, 18.

"Monday is the best night of Riverbend," Mr. Lovingood said. "Some people get dressed up, and some people just want to be comfortable. I want to be both."

Misty Heinsman, 43, dressed with both fashion and comfort in mind. She wore a lightweight spaghetti-strap dress over a short-sleeve tee. The softly gathered dress was perfect for the active mom, who spent much of the night playing with her 5-year-old daughter, Ellie.