Barbecue and funnel cakes are part of any festival, and Riverbend is no different. But fried green tomatoes? Gator on a stick? Peanut butter banana pudding?
"I try to bring a big diversity to Riverbend food, something different, even if it's just one or two vendors, because not everyone who comes to Riverbend wants the same thing," said Karen Shostak, director of sales for Friends of the Festival.
Some vendors have been coming for two of Riverbend's three decades, including the Thibodeaux family from Louisiana and the Harvells from Florida. Both will be back this year serving chicken on a stick.
After a year's absence, Hanner International will bring back its turkey legs, Ms. Shostak said.
The push to include local restaurants in the food lineup continues this year. Fat Boyz Concessions, from Murphy's Eatz & Sweetz in Chattanooga Valley, is bringing fried MoonPies, chicken and beef Philly sandwiches, onion rings, wings and peanut butter banana pudding. Rio Picante, which abuts the festival site on Second Street, will go inside the gates, offering chimichangas, nachos and other spicy Mexican fare.
Murphy Eller, owner of Murphy's Eatz & Sweetz, said he was just "playing around in the kitchen" when he came up with the idea for fried MoonPies.
"We were trying to come up with something different we could do in a festival setting that would set us apart," Mr. Eller said. "People were already doing fried Twinkies, so we decided to try MoonPies."
Those who've tried samples compare the taste to s'mores, he said.
"They may sound strange, but they are unbelievable," Ms. Shostak added.
Besides variety, Ms. Shostak said she places an emphasis on quality.
"If they are local, we do taste tests," she said. "If not, we have nonlocals provide at least five references, and we call them all."
The references must be from festivals comparable to Riverbend, Ms. Shostak noted.
"I would feed my own family at Riverbend," she said. "Our vendors, this is their life, and they are dedicated to it."