Who We Are
Premier Event Production and Management Located in the Tennessee Valley.
OUR MISSION
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Friends of the Festival focuses on developing, producing, and managing community events in the Tennessee Valley. Using 40+ years of experience, we lend our expertise, resources, and partnerships, providing a full spectrum of services to meet specific event planning needs.
OUR VISION
To be the Tennessee Valley’s leading force in community engagement, renowned for delivering entertaining and accessible events that enrich lives and transform public spaces into vibrant destinations where all feel welcomed and connected.
Our History
In the early 1980s, Chattanooga’s downtown had little to offer as businesses closed each day. The city was viewed as a sleepy industrial town with boarded up buildings and few offerings to entice people to visit downtown. City leaders were faced with the dilemma of not only how to keep their workforce downtown after hours, but how to draw individuals from the suburbs to the city.
Named for the bend in the Tennessee River at Ross’s Landing, Riverbend started in 1982 as a five-night festival to draw music lovers to the banks of the Tennessee River. Over the years, the festival has not only drawn people to downtown but has also proven to be an economic driver. At its peak, Riverbend drew over 100,000 attendees, with more than 100 acts performing on the renowned Coca-Cola floating stage.
As time progressed, Riverbend did as well. Musical acts included the likes of Keith Urban, Hank Williams, Jr, Cameo, .38 Special, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Goo Goo Dolls, Charlie Daniels Band, Little Richard, Kid Rock, LL Cool J, and Miami Sound Machine. For some performers like Lauren Alaina and Florida Georgia Line, Riverbend became the place to launch a career. Each year featured not only entertainers with diverse offerings, but vendors who catered to the tastes and palettes of those in attendance.
As COVID hit, Riverbend took a two-year hiatus and came back with a vengeance in 2022 with a three-day festival that featured Brothers Osborne, Cage the Elephant, and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit as headliners, as well as one of Chattanooga’s favorite sons, Leslie Jordan, as the host of the event. The 2023 festival featured headliners including Maren Morris, Nathaniel Rateliffe & The Night Sweats, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. The festival was followed a few weeks later in July by what would become Chattanooga’s favorite summer music tradition, ‘Riverfront Nights’.
Each Saturday throughout the summer months, friends, families, and pets gather at Ross’s Landing for an evening of free music. With new and existing sponsors who remain committed to quality music offerings, Riverfront Nights is now the standard for the music Chattanoogans love. Food trucks and other vendors join with family-friendly activities such as corn-hole, giant Jenga, and balloon art to entertain music lovers of all ages.
For Friends of the Festival, Riverbend Festival was the beginning of something uniquely Chattanooga that was planned and implemented to provide entertainment and an economic boost to the city’s downtown.
As the Friends look at their fourth decade, they do so with a renewed commitment to the city that has provided them with a stage that brings entertainment and economic impact to Chattanooga. The small group of professionals and volunteer board that guide the efforts of the Friends of the Festival provide valuable insights and expertise that have been tested and proven over time. It’s part and parcel of what make music on the river such an integral part of the Chattanooga experience.
Meet the Team
-
Mickey McCamish, Executive Director
Mickey is one of Chattanooga’s best known citizens and a proud U.S. Navy veteran. Ret. Capt. McCamish puts his military expertise into the festival to make sure we hit our goals and that our operations are well-run. His background as a commander comes into play at almost every turn of the festival.
As Executive Director, he builds strong relationships with organizations and funders to ensure that their experience is a good one - every single time.
-
Samantha Wright, Director of Sales
A Chattanooga native, Samantha has always had a passion for live music. She spends her free time attending concerts and festivals, much like Riverbend Festival, as well as graphic designing.
As the Director of Sales, Sam handles admissions, alcohol operations, and merchandising to design a unique and lively experience for all attendees. With a keen understanding of market trends and customer needs, Samantha crafts tailored solutions that align with client objectives, ensuring that every event is a success from both a logistical and financial perspective.
-
Trevor Boyd, Director of Operations
Hailing from middle Tennessee, Trevor attended the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and fell in love with the area, so he decided to make it home. He has always loved music and enjoys playing guitar from time to time. He’s an outdoorsman at heart.
As Director of Operations, Trevor manages and optimizes operational processes with the highest standards of service and execution. Trevor brings a deep understanding of logistics, budgeting, resource management, and event technology to the table, ensuring that every event runs smoothly from start to finish.
-
Gavin Brown, Operations Manager
Another born and raised Chattanoogan, Gavin is a visual artist and graduate of CCA with a passion for the arts, music, festivals, and live production. Combining creative and operational expertise, Gavin brings a unique blend of artistic vision and technical skill to festival and event production.
As Operations Manager, Gavin oversees set up and ensures plans are implemented correctly. He’s the man behind the scenes making sure everything is running how it should be.
Board Leadership
Becky Browder, Chair
Dr. KC Dyer, Vice Chair
Martha Attaway, Secretary
Thomas Lee, Treasurer
Cara Alday
Kyle Bianco
Terry Denniston
Evann Freeman
Rusty Gray
Chrissy Mincy
Audrey Smith
Tara Viland