One week after its larger cousin, Bonnaroo, had to cancel because of heavy rains brought on by the remnants of Hurricane Ida, the Moon River Festival is set to get underway Saturday at Coolidge Park.
“We are ready, I think,” said Jonathan Susman, special events manager with the city of Chattanooga.
The festival did get some bad news Friday when musician Yola announced she had tested positive for COVID-19 and would be postponing or canceling several shows, including the Moon River Festival. Officials did not return emails late Friday asking if there would be a replacement.
Susman said crews have been working for weeks to get the park ready and he has been working with C3 Presents, which also helps produce the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. That event canceled Tuesday of last week, two days before it was to begin, because of unsafe conditions.
Weather forecasts for Moon River are for plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the low to mid-80s. Like Bonnaroo, Moon River is officially sold out, though some tickets are available online through resellers. Moon River has issued protocols for patrons coming to the event requiring they either be vaccinated or bring a recent negative test result for the virus. Unvaccinated patrons will be asked to wear masks while at the festival.