Revived RiverFest returns Saturday at River Rocks

The countdown is underway for Saturday’s second edition of RiverFest at River Rocks, the revival — with some differences — of a Gadsden tradition.

Gates open at 4:45 p.m. and the music event kicks off at 5 p.m. at River Rocks Landing resort and campground, 1 River Road.

Co-headliners are Hokes Bluff native Drake White and roots rock/soul/R&B artist Anderson East, originally from Athens.

Gadsden’s Jon Player and singer-songwriter Kasey Tyndall, known for her rock-edged take on country music, are the opening acts.

RiverFest originated in 1986 as a one-day event in the Gadsden Mall parking lot featuring local acts. It mushroomed into a major, two-day music festival, with high-profile acts including Country and Rock Hall of Fame artists, that drew tens of thousands of fans to a shut-down Albert Rains Boulevard along the Coosa River.

However, The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah County, which had organized the event with support from corporate sponsors, pulled the plug after the 2013 festival suffered financial losses.

“That model really wasn’t profitable or cost-effective,” said current promoter Jason Wilson. “Plus, it’s difficult to close down a state highway for two days, and parking and logistics were a problem. So, we decided to scale it back to a one-day event and see how it grows from here.”

Last year’s event was held on the last weekend in October, but Wilson said rain and cold temperatures prompted a move to the first weekend of the month.

Tickets are $35 and are on sale at www.riverfest.info. They are moving well, according to Wilson, but sales will be capped at a maximum of 3,000. Wilson said there could be a limited number of them available at the gate, but advised people to purchase them in advance online.

Wilson said arrangements have been made for those attending the event to park at the Gadsden Mall; shuttle buses will transfer them to and from River Rocks Landing.

Along with the music, there will be 10 food trucks onsite; the offerings include barbecue, pizza, sushi, and tacos.

There will be additional concessions available, plus football fans will be able to see the end of the Alabama-Arkansas game and the entirety of the Auburn-LSU game in a special, television-equipped “tailgate area,” although Wilson said he expects most people’s attention to be directed toward the stage.

White drew attention with the singles "Simple Life," "It Feels Good" and "Livin' The Dream,” and released the album “Spark” in 2016 and an EP, “Pieces,” two years later. He released his full-length debut album, "Spark," in 2016 and the EP "Pieces" in 2018.

He fought back from ensing and severe health problems — including a hemorrhagic stroke that left him temporarily paralyzed on one side and forced him to relearn how to walk and play the guitar — to release the album “The Optimystic” earlier this year.

Anderson East put out a couple of self-released album, then got a major label recording deal with Elektra and has followed with the albums “Delilah,” “Encore” and “Maybe We Never Die.” His 2017 single “All On My Mind” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart.

Tyndall, a native of Greenville, North Carolina, has been writing songs since age 12. She is touring with White and her latest single, “Jesus and Joan Jett,” reflects her combined country and rock influences.

Player is a veteran of the local music scene.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: RiverFest returns Saturday at River Rocks Landing