Riverbend festival kicks off this weekend.

ADMISSION WRISTBANDS

› General admission: Your best deal is a general-admission wristband, which allows access to the festival every night (except the Bessie Smith Strut on Monday, June 13; that’s a separate $ 10). Today, June 9, is the last day to buy them at a discount. They’re available through midnight for $ 41 each at local Kangaroo/ Circle K stores. During the festival, general-admission wristbands will only be available at the gates and will cost $ 55 each. Children 10 and younger get in free.

› Daily admission: These wristbands, available at the gate, are good for one night only and cost $25 ($ 15 for military personnel and seniors 60 and older).

› Refunds: Not going to happen, even if the act you want to see cancels or the show gets rained out.

› Coming and going: Wristbands will be scanned when you enter and when you leave. Failure to scan out could prevent your return into the festival.

GATES

› Gates will open at 5 p. m. No chairs will be allowed in until that time, and all bags will be searched.

› The Main Gate is at the corner of Chestnut Street and Aquarium Way. ›

The Hunter Museum Gate is near the Hunter Museum at the top of the stairs leading down to Riverfront Parkway.

› The Riverside Drive Gate is at Lookout Street and Aquarium Way.

› The Walnut Street Bridge Gate is beneath the south end of the Walnut Street Bridge.

› The Marina Gate is on Riverfront Parkway west of the Olgiati Bridge.

SHUTTLES

The Riverbend Ride shuttle will be available for $ 1 per ride from 6 p. m. to 12:15 a. m. every night of the festival on the riverfront. Parking is available at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St. The shuttle will drop off patrons at the Marina Gate on Riverfront Parkway.

BOATS

Boaters can enter the festival through the Walnut Street Bridge Gate, but admission must be purchased in advance.

SMOKING

There are seven designated areas.

WEATHER

Performances take place rain or shine, though severe thunderstorms (think: lightning) may delay shows.

APPAREL

The shirt-and-shoes standard applies. The wearing of pants (or similar bottom- covering apparel) is implied.

WHAT’S PROHIBITED?

› Any outside food and drink, including picnic supplies, coolers, refillable containers and glass bottles.

› Camcorders and audio equipment. Cameras are permitted but may be restricted in some areas. › Pets.

› Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, rollerblades.

› Laser pointers.

› Weapons.

› Also, you can’t leave your stuff overnight. That means no lawn chairs, blankets, tarpaulins or other personal items to save your spot for the next night.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

› You must show a valid driver license to verify you are 21 or older to receive an age verification wristband. Wristbands will be available at all token and beer locations.

› You must wear the wristband for all alcoholic beverage purchase and consumption.

› If you violate Riverbend regulations, public law or assist others to do so, you will be removed from the festival.

› Riverbend reserves the right to randomly check identification at any time.

› All alcohol sales will cease 15 minutes before the final show is scheduled to end. All other concessions will close when the last show is over.

BLANKET SEATING

› This is a designated section on the lawn in front of the Coca- Cola Stage available for $ 10 per person per night with Riverbend admission.

› Wristbands for blanket seating are available at the Main Gate at Chestnut Street and Aquarium Way and at the entrance to the Blanket Seating area.

HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY

› Accessible parking is provided at the parking lot in front of the Tennessee Aquarium adjacent to the Main Gate on Chestnut Street and Aquarium Way.

› Viewing areas are reserved at ground level at each stage.

› Restroom facilities for the handicapped are available at each first-aid location.

ATM WITHDRAWALS

ATMs can be found throughout the festival grounds, including just inside the Main Gate.

TOKENS

› Festival tokens, priced at 50 cents each, are used for all food and beverage purchases.

› You can buy them at Token Centers located throughout the festival.

› Tokens are nonrefundable but can be used at next year’s festival.

PARKING

You’re on your own, but there are plenty of paid lots throughout downtown. If you’re able to find street parking, keep in mind that meters are monitored until 6 p. m. Monday through Saturday. Shuttles will run from the Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St.

LOST CHILDREN

The Lost Parents Tent is at the Main Gate at Aquarium Way and Chestnut Street.

FAMILY ZONE

This smoke- and alcohol-free area is on Riverfront Parkway behind the Tennessee Aquarium.

VOLUNTEERS

Let them help you. More than 1,400 volunteers are signed up to assist festivalgoers. They’ll be wearing special “Event Staff” T-shirts and official ID badges.

MARKETPLACE

The Riverbend Marketplace features arts, crafts and other merchandise. These vendors will accept cash; no tokens required.

FIRST AID

Hamilton County Emergency Services will be located throughout the festival site.

CONTACT

› Phone: 423-756-2211.

› Website: www.riverbendfestival.com.

STAFF FILE PHOTO BY TIM BARBER The domed Coca-Cola Stage, where the headliners play, typically draws the largest crowds each night. The stage is actually a barge on the Tennessee River.