* What: Libertyfest.
* When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday.
* Where: Camp Jordan, East Ridge.
* Admission: $10 per carload of up to six people.
* Phone: 432-4409.
* Website: www.eastridgeparksandrec.com.
The East Ridge Merchants Association is launching the first of two new festivals on Saturday when it presents the first Libertyfest music festival in Camp Jordan Park.
"This is going to be our big summer festival," said Stump Martin, East Ridge director of parks and recreation.
Martin credits the merchants association and its president, Robert Stahl, for getting this new music festival up and running with such a stellar lineup. Martin said the association felt the city needed a signature event, had the park's "beautiful amphitheater" to provide the venue and wanted a festival that would draw folks to East Ridge and give them a reason to return to do business.
Headlining this first festival will be Cody McCarver. The Dunlap, Tenn., musician spent more than 12 years playing with Confederate Railroad before venturing out on his own with Capitol Studios. He was named Music Row magazine's Independent Artist of the Year two consecutive years and is a spokesman for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.
Joining McCarver on the lineup is fellow Railroad band member Chris McDaniel. Popular dance band the Stratoblasters, JoyScout, Roger Alan Wade, Davey Smith and Nathan Farrow will round out the lineup.
Of particular interest to local music lovers will be the show's finale when McDaniel, McCarver, Wade and other performers will gather onstage for a jam session. Martin noted what a rare opportunity it will be to see these local favorites perform together.
The festival will conclude with a fireworks extravaganza at 10 p.m.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.
Susan Palmer Pierce is a reporter and columnist in the Life department. She began her journalism career as a summer employee 1972 for the News Free Press, typing bridal announcements and photo captions. She became a full-time employee in 1980, working her way up to feature writer, then special sections editor, then Lifestyle editor in 1995 until the merge of the NFP and Times in 1999. She was honored with the 2007 Chattanooga Woman of ...
