Riverside Music Festival Returns

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There's no better way to enjoy your vaccinated freedom than with the familiar comfort of summer concerts. Riverside Brewing Company knows what the people want and have brewed up plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy live music alongside good food and tasty beers.

The brewpub is housed in a rustic barn on the former grounds of the historic Riverside Inn at Cambridge Springs. The building has a large indoor bar and restaurant with an outdoor patio overlooking French creek and the extensive landscaping, making it the perfect space to host local musicians.

"It hasn't been hard to find musicians this year who want to play. You can tell everyone is itching to get out there and perform which speaks to the power of music itself I'd say. It's a driving force and always will be," said event coordinator Justin Moyar.

 After a year of silence, the Riverside Music Festival returns to the area this upcoming weekend, June 25 through 27. This technically marks the festival's 8th official year and the first time it has returned to the riverside grounds after the inn burned down in 2017 (in 2019 known as the Cambridge Springs Music Festival). 

All festivities will take place on the grounds rain or shine with free admission to the public. Local and regional musicians will perform their original music on the outdoor stage. Seating will be provided on a first come first serve basis but guests are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs to enjoy the diverse lineup. Concessions will be available among thirty plus vendors. However, if you plan to eat at the RBC restaurant, they recommend calling ahead to reserve a table. 

"I know there are people ready, vaccinated or not, to get out and enjoy this summer. I personally and professionally feel relieved knowing no other outbreaks or rapidly increased cases have occurred," said Moyar.

The festival offers a sense of summertime normalcy, but don't fret if you're not ready for it yet. Being outside, there is the option for guests to maintain social distancing from others. In addition, RBC plans to live stream all three days of the festival on their Facebook page.

Along with food and drinks, souvenir buttons and musician merchandise will be available for purchase to show your support. New to the festival are souvenir rocks glasses including 11 different tasting sessions featuring Grumpy Goat Distilling. Call ahead to Grumpy Goat to reserve one or purchase at the festival while supplies last. The festival will also feature Music Mall, Caplan Company Tasting Room, Vendor Marketplace and Knockerball. 

If you're unable to attend the festival, don't worry. RBC will continue to host local musicians every Thursday through Sunday until the end of August. You have plenty of opportunities to kick back and relax at the riverside.

Here's a guide to the Riverside Music Festival Lineup:

June 25

5:00 p.m.  The Vics

6:30 p.m. The Band Hannah

8:00 p.m. Rick Magee and The Roadhouse Rockers

June 26

11:00 a.m. Oak Compass

12:00 p.m. Lore

1:30 p.m. Me and the Boy

3:00 p.m. Lamb Lion

4:30 p.m. Shoefly Soul

6:00 p.m. Cold Lazarus

7:30 p.m. Fred Oakman and the Flood

9:00 p.m. Mayflower Hill

June 27

11:00 a.m. Chelcie Gette

12:00 p.m. Chuck Wimer

1:30 p.m. Josh Travis Band

3:00 p.m. Mike Sopko w/ Joe Tomino