Festival season arrives in Montgomery: Food festivals, concerts and more this weekend

Shannon Heupel, Montgomery Advertiser
·5 min read

Sure, you could wait around until Memorial Day Weekend to have some fun, but why should you? This weekend is slam-packed with fun times for kids and adults. Here are a few of the highlights.

Red Bluff Music, Arts & Food Festival

On May 17, Little Raines Band will perform during Red Bluff Music, Arts & Food Festival in Montgomery.
On May 17, Little Raines Band will perform during Red Bluff Music, Arts & Food Festival in Montgomery.

  • When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 17-19

  • Where: Riverfront Park

  • Info: Red Bluff Bar at the Silos, located on the hill in Riverfront Park, is where the celebration will be centered on Friday and Sunday, May 17 and 19, and both these day are free to attend. Saturday, May 18, will have acts on three stages, including nearby Riverwalk Amphitheater. Tickets to attend this day are $40 in advance, and $50 at the gate. Barnes said there are VIP passes available for $100 while supplies last. Kids 12 and under are admitted free. In addition to music, they'll have local artists and lots available to eat.

Here's the music schedule:

Friday: Free — Gates open 4 p.m. Music is on The Maestro Stage

  • House Music from DJ Ali & DJ Jeffrrey James

  • 4-5 p.m. John Bull Band w/ Peggy Walker

  • 5:15-6:15 p.m. Cheyloe Martin & Frank Jordan

  • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Ike Bell Collegiate Jazz Collective

  • 7:45-9:15 p.m. 4th Quarter Band

  • 9:30-11 p.m. Little Raine Band

Saturday: Tickets required — Gates open 12:30 p.m. Music is on three stages:

CC Sunchild is performing May 18 at the Red Bluff Music, Arts & Food Festival.
CC Sunchild is performing May 18 at the Red Bluff Music, Arts & Food Festival.

The Maestro Stage

  • 1:30-2 p.m. Electric Blue Yonder

  • 2:45-3:15 p.m. Trew TheStar, John Boy, That Boogie & Jeremy Flyy

  • 4-4:30 p.m. Shanay King, JusDri, Kita Crowell & JustGeeter

  • 5:30-6 p.m. Jonathan Michael

  • 7-7:30 p.m. Charity Bowden

  • 9-9:30 p.m. Little Kim Stewart & Funk Nation

  • 11 p.m.-1 a.m. Gumptown Brass & Red Bluff Ramblers All-Star Jam

Riverwalk Amphitheater

  • 1-1:30 p.m. Kirk Jay

  • 2-2:45 p.m. Taylor Hollingsworth

  • 3:15-4 p.m. The Happy Ghosts

  • 4:30-5:30 p.m. The Talismen

  • 6-7 p.m. West Love

  • 7:30-9 p.m. The Jerry Douglas Band

  • 9:30-11 p.m. Eric Gales

Jubilee Stage

  • 12:30-1:30 p.m. Ramblin’ Ricky Tate

  • 1:30-2:30 p.m. Leaux

  • 2:45-3:45 p.m. Rachel!

  • 3:45-4:45 p.m. Richard Incorporated

  • 4:45-5:45 p.m. Wesley Hill

  • 5:45-6:45 p.m. Think All Be All

Early James is performing May 19 during the Red Bluff Music, Arts & Food Festival in Montgomery.
Early James is performing May 19 during the Red Bluff Music, Arts & Food Festival in Montgomery.

Sunday: Free — Gates open 1 p.m. Music is on the Jubilee Stage.

  • House Music from DJ Ali & DJ Jeffrey James

  • 1 p.m. Eva Jane

  • 2:15-3:15 p.m. Glenn Street Band

  • 3:30-4:30 p.m. DJ Randolph’s Sacred Steel Revue

  • 4:45-5:45 p.m. John Mark Turner & Dave P Moore

  • 6-7:30 p.m. Early James

  • 7:45-9 p.m. Sam Williams’ Super Jazz Session

Old School Dance Off

  • When: Friday, May 17, 5-8 p.m.

  • Where: Goodwyn Community Center, 205 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery

  • Info: It’s a night of family-friendly dancing, with free food and snacks. Parents are urged to bring their kids and show them how to do moves like Running Man and The Electric Slide. Free to attend.

12th annual Riverbend Brewfest

Riverbend Brewfest returns to Montgomery's Union Station Train shed on Friday
Riverbend Brewfest returns to Montgomery's Union Station Train shed on Friday

  • When: Friday, May 17, 6-9 p.m.

  • Where: Union Station Train Shed, 300 Water St., Montgomery

  • Info: Special events for the grown folks (21 and up) who can sample a variety of beer. There’s also food vendors and a concert by Kirk Jay. Admission is free. If you want to sample the large selection of specialty, seasonal and craft brews, tickets will be available on site. Proceeds go to the Family Sunshine Center.

Magical Creatures and Animal Enrichment Day at the Zoo

  • When: Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m.

  • Where: Montgomery Zoo, 2301 Coliseum Parkway

  • Info: You’ve got two special events happening Saturday at the same time at the Montgomery Zoo.

  • Magical animals: First off, the Magical Creatures Education Program is happening from 10 a.m. to noon. You’ll get to meet some of the magical animals that appear in movies like “Harry Potter” and “The Hobbit.” Learn about their habitats, and maybe take home some special prizes. You have to register by Friday, May 17, to be a part of this — no tickets for it will be sold for it Saturday. For zoo members, accompanying adults are free and children 4-12 are $20. For non-members, accompanying adults are $18 and children are $34.

  • Animal Enrichment Day: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., tour the zoo and observe how the animals respond to a variety of creative and behavior-stimulating enrichment Items. More than 15 species will take part in the semi-annual event, including some of big cats, elephants, primates, reptiles, and birds. This is included with regular zoo admission.

  • Learn more: https://www.montgomeryzoo.com/

Food & Grooves Mayfest

  • When: Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

  • Where: Rotary Dog Park, 98 Coosa St., Montgomery

  • Info: It’s a free family-friendly day in the park, with food trucks, vendors, live music and more.

The Outpouring: A Citywide Night of Worship

  • When: Sunday, May 19, 5:30 p.m.

  • Where: Riverwalk Amphitheater in Riverfront Park, downtown Montgomery.

  • Info: This is a free unity event of prayer, praise and worship.  For the past five years, it's been bringing people together from all walks of life to celebrate diversity, inspire love, and strengthen bonds.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: What a weekend! Music, food and arts, beer tasting, zoo fun and more