Riverfest returning to Savannah for third year this weekend

Music will fill the air for three days in downtown Savannah as part of the city’s Third Annual Catfish Derby and Riverfest event.
The Riverfest concerts start Friday, Sept. 13, at the Historic Savannah Theater on Court Square in downtown Savannah, featuring Chris Tennessee, Trevor Van and Lightwatch. Doors open at 6 p.m., with music starting at 7 p.m.
The festival then moves to Main Street on Saturday, Sept. 14, with artists Sydney Mack, The Band Loula, John Paul White, Cody Canada and The Departed performing. Additionally, Grammy Artist of Tomorrow Award winner Drake White and platinum recording group Sister Hazel will be co-headliners of the festival’s main musical event.
Drake White is a country singer whose hit songs include “Making Me Look Again,” and “Livin’ the Dream.”
Sister Hazel is an alternative rock band whose hit songs include “All for You,” “Change Your Mind,” and “Champagne High.”
On Sunday, Sept. 15, the musical fun continues once again at Tennessee Street Park. Billed as “A Riverfest Revelation: Sunday in the South,” the day showcases Hardin County native Darryl Worley and a Grammy nominated, multifaceted award winning group, The Issacs.
Riverfest Chairman Timothy White invites everyone to come out and enjoy all three concerts.
“Locals and visitors will have a great time enjoying all the musical fun,” he said.
Saturday is also UT Extension’s Second Saturdays event, with vendors offering their homemade wares, fresh grown vegetables, baked goods and more.
“The UT Market will move off the farmers pavilion to Main and Court Streets and is free to explore. We do encourage people, whether they will be attending Saturday’s concert or not, to come on by and support local businesses,” White said.
The Friday and Saturday concerts are ticketed events. A weekend pass is available at a discount.
“The weekend pass is also applicable for Sunday’s concert, but rather than charging a fee, we are asking for people to donate what they can to enjoy the show. We understand not everyone can pay a lot to enjoy live music, so the Riverfest board decided to host this event and let people pay what they can,” White shared.
Tickets for the Riverfest concerts can be purchased at Savannah City Hall or online at hubcityevents.com.
Concert attendees should bring a lawn chair as there will be no assigned seating. For refreshments, the Savannah Rotary Club is managing the Tennessee Street Park concession stand Friday and Sunday.
Food and other items will be available from specialty vendors on Saturday, including Chick-Fil-A, Mollie Mondays, Bamm’s Doughburgers, Liquid Hitch and more.
Friday’s concert starts at 7 p.m., gates open at 1 p.m. for Saturday’s concert, and the “Riverfest Revelation: Sunday in the South,” concert starts at 3 p.m.
Musical fun may be the highlight for September, but the excitement continues with the National Catfish Derby Fishing Tournament in October.
“We are happy to have the tournament returning this year and we are very excited that this year’s event will be hosted by legendary fisherman Bill Dance,” White shared.
He added, “This year we are also taking the Derby back to its roots as an actual week-long contest. There will be weigh-ins at various locations throughout Savannah, which will be announced through the Derby’s social media pages, with the main weigh-in event being on Main Street in front of Savannah Market on Saturday, Oct. 12.”
In addition to the final weigh-in, there will be live music featuring Trey Nichols, Ty Moore and Cole Nichols. There will be food vendors at the farmers market, and Mama Fia’s and Hickory Pit are within walking distance.
“The event is free and the biggest attraction is likely that Bill Dance will be there for the final weigh-ins, so come on out and have a good time while meeting a fishing legend,” White said.
Additional information is available on the Catfish Derby and Riverfest Facebook page.