Riverbend Festival 2020 to be rescheduled for a later date due to COVID-19 concerns

People attend the second night of the Riverbend Festival on Thursday, May 30, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Lionel Richie headlined the night. / Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter
People attend the second night of the Riverbend Festival on Thursday, May 30, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Lionel Richie headlined the night. / Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter

Riverbend Festival organizers announced Thursday the annual music festival will be rescheduled for a later date due to increasing concerns over coronavirus in the country and community.

"With the weight of uncertainly bearing down amid coronavirus concerns, Friends of the Festival will reschedule Riverbend Festival 2020 for a later date," the organization said in a statement Thursday. "Our top priority remains to be the safety of our fans, those involved with the production and support of Riverbend Festival, and the entire Tennessee Valley community."

The release states Friends of the Festival is collaborating with local government and health officials to responsible, informed decisions. The new date and additional details will be announced soon, according to the release.

All ticket purchases will be honored for the future date.

Riverbend is the city's largest festival, drawing anywhere from 20,000-40,000 people and was originally scheduled for May 27-30.

Several other festivals in Tennessee and nationwide have canceled or postponed due to coronavirus.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California announced it was postponing the event from the weekends of April 10-12 and April 17-19 to Oct. 9-11 and Oct. 16-18, and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn. will take place Sept. 24–27 instead of in June now.

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