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HomeEventsClarksville's Rivers and Spires Festival set for April 14th-16th

Clarksville’s Rivers and Spires Festival set for April 14th-16th

Rivers and Spires FestivalClarksville, TN – The 14th annual award-winning free Rivers and Spires Festival is set for April 14th-16th, 2016. Festival goers will enjoy five stages of live entertainment with over 100 performers during the three days.

From children’s activities, arts vendors, a car show, military exhibits, shopping and so much more, this is truly an event for the whole family. Country music artist and reality star Kellie Pickler will headline the Public Square stage at 7:30pm and Dove awarding artist Plumb will headline the Christian stage at 7:00pm on Saturday night.

Clarksville's Rivers and Spires Festival.
Clarksville’s Rivers and Spires Festival.

The free music and activities does not stop there. See the full schedule of entertainment at www.riversandspires.com

The weekend kicks off on Thursday, April 14th with the Songwriter Showcase on the Public Square stage.

The Showcase features three superstar songwriters: Casey Beathard, Phil O’Donnell and Jimmy Melton.

Opening for the Country Songwriter Showcase is the winner of the Songwriter Search, going on February 27th until April 1st.

Kellie Pickler to Headline the 2016 Rivers and Spires Festival
Kellie Pickler to Headline the 2016 Rivers and Spires Festival

Another local talent search is the Last Band Standing. The Midsouth’s best rock bands will battle it out on Friday and Saturday night to earn the title of Last Band Standing. Check out the Festival website, riversandspires.com for more info and rules.

The most popular area, the award-winning Family Fun Zone hosted by First Baptist Church, has fantastic activities for kids from toddlers to teens, located along Hiter Street and Commerce Street.

You will find over 60 free events to enjoy including music, inflatables, performers, demonstrations, face painting, games and numerous kinds of interactive booths. Steve Weeks and Gene Cordova are the featured kid’s entertainers to include playful shows, audience participation, humor, and magic that makes for a memorable experience at any age.

Christian Rock artist Plumb to headline the Christian stage.
Christian Rock artist Plumb to headline the Christian stage.

Toddler Town offers rotating activities and entertainers as well as soft play mats and inflatables geared especially for the little ones. Burn off some energy at the Festival with Gamez on Wheelz Laser Tag located on Third Street.

Children and groups are encouraged to enter the Annual Children’s Parade in ‘Superhero’ themed costume or with a decorated float. Come cheer on the parade participants at 1:00pmon Saturday. Children of all ages will also love meeting their favorite Superheroes, Mascots and the 501st Legion’s Star Wars characters who will wander the area. Applications and float specifications can be found on our website, www.riversandspires.com

For the gamer in your life, CDE Lightband will be hosting their Fast Fiber Gaming Area. The underground parking garage located off of Franklin Street will be transformed into a modern day arcade, packed full of console and pc games for participants to play.

Fiber Fast Gaming is open to all ages at certain times of the day. As the maturity level of the games increase, age limits to enter the area will be strictly enforced. Contests and tournaments will be going on throughout the festival.

The Sports Zone hosted by Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union is filled with activities and booths geared especially for the sports enthusiast. Open on Friday, April 15th, 5:00pm-9:00pm and Saturday, April 16th, 10:00am-8:00pm, APSU and local youth sports leagues will have mini-clinics in a variety of sports. New to the Sports zone is the cornhole tournament. Come show how well you can throw and earn the title of the ‘Rivers and Spires Festival Cornhole Champion’.

Located nearby is The Rivers and Spires Arm Wrestling Tournament where men, women and children will have the opportunity to prove their strength and walk away with cash or trophy prizes. This competition is the largest in Tennessee with over 200 competitors making this the perfect tournament for both the novice and professional alike.

CDE Lightband Gig City Gaming Area.
CDE Lightband Gig City Gaming Area.

This year’s Military Zone will include some of Fort Campbell’s authentic displays. Active duty soldiers will be giving Festival-goers the opportunity to experience being a soldier by trying on gear, checking out military vehicles and participating in interactive exhibits.

With over 10 countries represented in Clarksville, Rivers and Spires honors diversity in the International Zone. Visitors are welcomed to explore authentic cuisine, dress, song, and dance from a variety of the area’s cultural organizations. These cultural performances can be seen at the Main and Third stage.

While visiting the festival, it wouldn’t be complete without shopping at the wide-range of vendors. The Marketplace has everything from eclectic home items, toys and games, to clothing and jewelry. In the Arts Galore area, artisans from all over the country come to Clarksville to show off and sell their handmade artwork, jewelry and woodwork. Browse, shop and find that special something to take home as a souvenir from your Rivers and Spires adventure.

About the Rivers and Spires Festival

Rivers and Spires is one of the biggest festivals in the southeast. Mark your calendar and be prepared to have a great time. The streets are lined with craft and food vendors, five music stages, kids’ activities and artisan booths, 9 blocks of downtown transform each year as the festival goes into full swing.

Hours this year are: April 14th and 15th from 5:00pm – 10:00pm and April 16th from 10:00am – 9:00pm. The Family Fun Zone Hours: Friday, April 15th from 5:00pm-8:00pm and Saturday, April 16th from 10:00am – 8:00pm. Toddler Town Hours: Friday, April 15th from 5:00pm – 7:00pm and Saturday, April 16th from 10:00am – 7:00pm.

For more information about the 2016 Festival, please visit www.riversandspires.com

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