By the time you read this, Riverbend is over and your retinas are probably still hurting after last night's fireworks display, which I hopefully watched from the air-conditioned comfort of my living room.

Tonight was my first chance to see if all the hype surrounding the end of Riverbend fireworks display lived up to all the hype.

After seeing photos of a packed river during the final nights of Riverbends past, I know that tonight’s concert/fireworks display is likely to be among the most popular for water-bound attendees.

With all the great music, a seemingly inexhaustible supply of alcohol and the near constant threat of sunstroke, it might be hard to remember that you're not the only one at Riverbend trying to enjoy yourself.

It's no secret I'm a fan of Walt Wilkins.

Hobbling on my miserable club foot down to the Tennessee Valley Credit Union Stage today, I got there just in time to land a quick interview with local jazz guitarist Ben Friberg before his trio (and special guest Jason Day, a phenomenal pianist from Knoxville) started oozing cool to a sizable crowd.

Crowds can move down Riverfront Parkway this year without being squished

Earlier today, I was getting ready to head down into the festival ground proper to subject myself to the hydraulic miasma of the mobile units. Before I crested the hill leading down from the Hunter, however, I was stopped short at the Unum Stage by the sounds of Diana Jones and Beau Stapleton soundchecking for their performance at 6:30 p.m.

Guitarist Adrian Belew's performance was stimulating, evocative, cacophonous and amazing

Having lived in Chattanooga all my life, I grew up with Riverbend. Some of my fondest memories can be traced back to those nine hot days in early June.

With all of the artists who perform on Riverbend’s stages, it’s easy to forget the artists who choose the streets of the festival as their venue.

Going to Riverbend but want to catch some entertainment elsewhere from the Coke Stage?

Though there are fewer performers this evening than on other Riverbend nights, there is still a great deal of entertainment.

There won’t be alcohol available at Riverbend tonight, but you can use those tokens you would have spent on beer on some of the festival’s other vendors.

Tonight is the annual Faith and Family night, sponsored by a coalition of Christian businesses organized by Chattanooga businessman John Zeiser.