ARTICLE TOOLS

E-mail story

Comments

Printer friendly version

iPod friendly version

Share This

Text Size: A A A A

Chattanooga: Chattahippie Music Festival begins tonight

By: Barry Courter
(Contact)

Included in this article

The Chattahippie Music Festival kicks off tonight at Camp Columbus and continues through Sunday with live music, vendors and tent camping available.

The festival will open around 7 p.m. with The Gougers and then feature a seven-member singer/songwriter showcase for VIP ticket buyers.

Music begins at 3 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Forty acts are scheduled to perform throughout the weekend and most, with the possible exception of Pure Prairie League and its 1975 hit “Amie,” operate without benefit of traditional radio support.

“We’ve booked acts that don’t get airplay but that are really good acts,” said Chris Thomas, founder of Palo Duro Records, and its subsidiary, Palo Duro Presents, which is producing the festival.

“We hope to attract the people who like to take chances and find new acts to follow,” he said.

The musical lineup consists mainly of country or Americana acts such as Charlie Louvin, Chris Knight, The Derailers, Trent Summar and local singer/songwriter Roger Alan Wade.

As of Wednesday, more than 500 tickets had been bought by fans in Texas, Australia and all around the South, Mr. Thomas said.

Chattanoogan Kathy Sumrell will be camping throughout the festival, and she said she is looking forward to the music and people watching.

“I think there will be people of all ages, including teens and people like me in their 50s,” she said.

A veteran of more than two dozens festivals around the country, Ms. Sumrell said such events offer a chance to leave the world behind, dance and “let your hair down.”

“I’ve been to festivals all over the country, and I love the variety of the music and the people you meet,” she said. “I’m glad this one is at Camp Columbus. It’s beautiful out there and perfect for this.”

Workers spent Wednesday getting ready for the first-time event, erecting the stage, delivering soft drinks and ice, and cutting a second hole in the fence near the entryway to make it easier for people to get in and out, according to Paul Smith of Palo Duro Presents.

The fence hole was requested by the city of Lakesite, which abuts Camp Columbus, according to Mr. Smith. Lakesite Vice Mayor Ken Wilkerson said his office has been working with festival organizers and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department to ensure things go well for festival-goers and Lakesite business owners and residents.

“We don’t anticipate any problems, but whenever you have to deal with the reality that anytime you have crowds, an outdoor event and alcohol, things can happen, so you prepare for them,” he said.

Comments