Riverbend orientation (June 7-15)

The Coca-Cola main stage barge is being prepared for the upcoming Riverbend concert series.

The Riverbend Festival started more than 30 years ago, so longtime residents know the drill: nine nights, 100-plus musical acts, thousands of your closest friends packed along Chattanooga's riverfront.

But if you're new to this nine-day celebration, happening June 7-15 this year, there are a few things you'll need to know.

Keep in mind that the Bessie Smith Strut on Monday is nine blocks away, along M.L. King Boulevard, with different admission requirements.

ADMISSION

• Pins: Allow access every day except Monday's Bessie Smith Strut, which charges an additional admission of $5 with a pin, $10 without. Buy your Riverbend pin today at area Kangaroo Express stores for $32. Wait until Friday, and they'll cost you $45 at the gate (kids 10 and younger get in free). Pins ordered online this week (June 1-6) may be picked up starting Friday at will-call at the main gate (Second and Chestnut streets).

• Wristbands: Good for one night only. They cost $26 most nights, $5 on Faith and Family Night.

PARKING

Festival grounds encompass the 21st Century Waterfront at 200 Riverfront Parkway. You can't park on-site, but street and lot parking are available throughout downtown, the Southside and the North Shore. Cars not parked in designated spaces are subject to towing.

You also can park at Finley Stadium, 1826 Reggie White Blvd., or the Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St., and catch the shuttles from those sites.

SHUTTLES

Shuttles run from 6 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. every night of the festival and cost $1 per ride. The drop-off point is the corner of Third and Broad streets.

BOATS

Festivalgoers arriving by boat can enter at the Walnut Street Bridge Gate, but you must already have your admission pin.

BICYCLES

You'll find a secure lot and free bike valet parking at the downtown (south) end of the Walnut Street Bridge from 5 to 11 p.m. Consider parking your car at the Amnicola Marsh parking area of the Tennessee Riverpark and riding from there to the valet station.

If you need a bike, Bike Chattanooga's Bicycle Transit System offers one-day access passes at each station, or you can become an annual member online. Get membership information and a list of station locations at www.bikechattanooga.com.

HANDICAP ACCESS

• Parking: Provided in the lot in front of the Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St.

• Viewing areas: Reserved at ground level at each stage.

• Restrooms: At all first-aid stations.

FIRST AID

Provided by Hamilton County Emergency Services.

ENTRY GATES

They open at 5 p.m. daily. Here's where you'll find them.

• Main Gate: At corner of Second and Chestnut streets (near the Imax Theater).

• Hunter Museum Gate: Near the museum at the top of the stairs leading down to Riverfront Parkway.

• Riverside Drive Gate: At Lookout Street and Aquarium Way.

• Walnut Street Bridge Gate: Beneath the south end of the bridge.

• Marina Gate: On Riverfront Parkway west of the Olgiati Bridge.

STAGES

• Coca-Cola Stage: This is on the covered barge on the river. It sits parallel to Riverfront Parkway between Power Alley and Chestnut Street.

• Bud Light Stage: Near the Olgiati Bridge at the west end of Concessions Row.

• Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union Stage: Beneath the Walnut Street Bridge

• Unum Stage: Near the Hunter Museum of American Art.

• Volkswagen Stage: On the Chattanooga Green between Power Alley and Chestnut Street.

STAR SEATING

Seating in this section in front of the main Coca-Cola Stage is $20 in addition to your Riverbend pin or wristband. You will not need a chair. Seats are assigned for the evening. Jake Owen, Dierks Bentley and Lynyrd Skynyrd are sold out. Cee Lo Green was close to a sellout at press time.

BLANKET SEATING

An optional Blanket Seating area on the lawn in front of the Coca-Cola Stage costs $10 per person per night, in addition to a pin or wristband. A wristband admits you in.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

• Tokens: Required for all food and beverage purchases. They are 50 cents each and sold at face value. They are nonrefundable, but you can save them for use next year.

• ATMs: If you need cash, look for ATMs throughout the festival grounds.

CLUB HUNTER

This pass for exclusive access to the Hunter Museum on designated days includes catered food, a cash bar and a live video and sound feed from the Bud Light and Coca-Cola stages, but the real draws here are air-conditioning and indoor plumbing. Club Hunter is available 6:30-11:30 p.m. on the two Riverbend weekends, June 7-9 and June 14-15, which includes reserved seating on the Hunter Terrace for the festival's fireworks finale. You may come and go as you wish between the festival and museum. Each membership includes a Riverbend pin. Cost is $125 for Hunter members, $150 for nonmembers. To add a parking option for a guaranteed space in the Hunter lot for the entire festival, cost is $175 for members, $200 for nonmembers. The nonmember prices also grant free museum admission for a year, invitations to members-only events and other benefits. To purchase, call 423-267-0968.

CLUB RIVERBEND

This exclusive members-only area is on the Chattanooga City Pier at Ross's Landing. Incentives include: access to a cash bar (cocktails available only in VIP areas), access to private portable bathrooms, VIP parking pass (one per membership), preferred viewing area on pier and discounts on merchandise.

Membership is $220 per person and is open to adults 21 and older.

LOST CHILDREN

The Lost Parents Tent is at the Main Gate at Second and Chestnut streets.

FAMILY ZONES

Smoke-free and alcohol-free areas have expanded. Not to be missed are the Children's Village, an interactive, educational playground, and Riverbend Beach, near the TVFCU Stage, where Team Sandtastic artists will create a 220-ton sand sculpture.

SMOKING

In a change in policy, smokers will be restricted to any of seven designated smoking areas on the festival grounds.

ALCOHOL

• Wristbands: An age verification wristband is required for all purchases and consumption. They are available at all token and beer locations. You must show a valid driver's license verifying you are 21 or older to acquire a wristband.

• Age enforcement: Anyone violating Riverbend regulations, public law or assisting others to do so will be removed from the festival.

• Last call: All alcohol sales will cease 15 minutes before the final show is scheduled to end. All other concession sales will end when the last show ends.

SOUVENIRS

• Festival merch: Limited-edition goods are available at the Friends of the Festival location on Chestnut Street or from the online store.

• Artist merch: CDs, photos and the like will be available next to the stage where each artist is performing.

• Riverbend Marketplace: Now in its sixth year, this area will feature arts, crafts and other merchandise.

CONCESSIONS

Dozens of vendors will offer specialties ranging from deep-fried Kool-Aid to funnel cakes to fajita pitas. You must pay with tokens.

RECYCLING

More than 300 Green Team volunteers will help you find the recycling stations. Concessionaires have been encouraged to use Earth-friendly products.

WHAT TO BRING

• Proper clothing (shirt and shoes required)

• Folding chairs and blankets (but you cannot leave them overnight)

• Cameras (but their use may be restricted in some areas)

WHAT NOT TO BRING

• Outside food and drink

• Coolers

• Picnic supplies

• Refillable containers

• Glass bottles

• Camcorders or audio equipment

• Pets

• Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, in-line skates

• Laser pointers

• Weapons of any kind

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

All carry-in items, such as tote bags and collapsible chairs, are subject to search.

VOLUNTEERS

Need assistance? More than 1,400 volunteers man the festival. You'll know them by their bright "Event Staff" T-shirts and official ID badges.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Phone: 423-756-2211

• Website: www.riverbendfestival.com

2013 Riverbend headliners