The Riverbend Festival, which was twice delayed and then restructured during the COVID-19 pandemic, will have to wait another year before returning June 2-5, 2022.
The Friends of the Festival Board of Directors met Monday and decided to put the community’s largest festival – first produced in 1982 – on hold for another year.
The board had been considering returning with a smaller footprint and fewer stages this fall, but several factors – including uncertainties still surrounding the pandemic and an already full calendar of events – precluded that. The board decided to return next year, according to a news release.
Friends of the Festival Board President Becky Browder said in the release, “For anyone who attended last weekend’s Riverfront Nights, it was clear that Chattanooga is ready to move forward from the pandemic. As a business, Riverbend must do so thoughtfully and with a strong plan in place to position the festival for a milestone anniversary in 2023. With today’s announcement, we’re excited about the path we’re on and those joining us on it.”
Like a lot of festivals, and even music venues, 2020 was a tough year with many forced to postpone, reschedule and or cancel events.