Music lovers hoping to soak up the sun during opening day of Riverbend might just end up soaked instead.
Hot and humid temperatures in the lower 90s on the first day of the nine-day festival will make way for chances of thunderstorms that increase as the day wears on, said Derek Eisentrout, a National Weather Service representative in Morristown, Tenn.
"Umbrellas are the plan if you have a quick shower come through," he said. "And, it being summertime in the Southeast, there's a pretty good chance."
A little rain won't stop the show though, said Chip Baker, executive director of Friends of the Festival. He said the festival will continue, rain or shine, though performances could be delayed if there is lightning.
Festival attendees can bring umbrellas inside the gates, he said, however, outside food and drink, camcorders and audio recording equipment are not allowed.
More than 600,000 people are expected to attend the festival over its run, Mr. Baker said. Preparing for that type of crowd requires a lot of planning and attention to detail, he said.
"When you put together Riverbend, it's like building a town," he said.
The festival, which began nearly 30 years ago, started as a way to bring people together with a focus on downtown, but has grown into a regional effort to market the Chattanooga community, he said.
This year, new additions include a Bend Unplugged program and restaurant Eat & Greets with artists that take place during the day of the performer's scheduled night-time performance. Another addition is the "After Bend Party" at First Tennessee Pavilion on June 18, beginning at midnight.
Tonight's headliner, Sheryl Crow, is expected to take the Coca-Cola stage about 9:30 p.m. Artists, including Milele Roots, Gabriel Bewell, Too Far Gone South and Elijah James, among others, will perform on the festival's four additional stages.
Mr. Baker, who's been part of the festival for 11 years, said Riverbend is "one of the things that makes Chattanooga such a great place to live."
"I think the thing that impresses me the most is that people do a really good job of being orderly," he said. "Anywhere from parking, to how they behave, by and large, everybody is really well-behaved."
TODAY'S ACTS
Street performers
* John Cady, Mick Stone and Mike Edwards
Bud Light Stage
* Milele Roots. 5-7:30 p.m.
* Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. 7:45-9 p.m.
Unum Stage
* Gabriel Bewell. 6:30-7:45 p.m.
* Hillman-Pederson. 8-9:15 p.m.
* Crazy Face. 9:30-11 p.m.
Tennessee Lottery Stage
* Too Far Gone South. 5:30-6:30 p.m.
* Jimmy Tawater. 6:45-7:45 p.m.
Tennessee Valley Credit Union Stage
* Elijah James. 6:15-7:30 p.m.
* Spatial Effects. 7:45-9 p.m.
* Taj Weekes & Adowa. 9:15-10:30 p.m.
Coca-Cola Stage
* Sheryl Crow. 9:30-11 p.m.