Music in a Pandemic
New Fort Worth music festival gets official okay for November dates
The River & Blues Festival, which had its inaugural event postponed from May 15-16 to November 13-14 due to the coronavirus pandemic, has gotten the official go-ahead from Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price's office to proceed as scheduled, festival organizers announced on October 16.
Like all in-person events these days, it will be a socially-distanced experience, featuring viewing pods, cashless transactions, a face mask requirement, and other safety precautions. Seating will be limited to 40 percent of Panther Island Pavilion's capacity.
Performers for the two-day festival will include Charley Crockett, Maddie & Tae, Kody West, Bart Crow, Grady Spencer & the Work, Samantha Fish, Casey James, Courtney Patton & Jason Eady, Elaina Kay, Kirk House, and more.
"For the last few months, we have stepped back and evaluated all of the options presented to us," festival co-founder Omar Ortiz said in a statement. "With our experience and input provided by the city, we are sure that we can provide festival-goers with a great opportunity to enjoy an awesome festival experience all while maintaining safety."
The general admission area will be divided into 10’x10’ pods, each having a limited capacity of 10 people, that will be filled daily on a first-come, first-served basis. Pods will not be shared between groups, which means some pods could have as few as two people. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to place in their pods.
There will also be a VIP area close to the stage, with tables and chairs provided for ticketholders. Tables will be set in groups of two to 10 people, and will be spaced properly following social distancing guidelines. These are also available on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone who purchases a platinum level ticket can arrange for a reserved table.
The festival will also include food available for purchase from a number of local establishments and food trucks, including Heim Barbecue, Cousins Maine Lobster, Kono Pizza, Melt Ice Creams, Big Kat Burgers, and The Beignet Bus.
Tickets for the festival range from $55-$300 for single day tickets, and $90-$450 for two-day passes.