Future of Riverfest left to new Gadsden City Council

The future of Gadsdens Riverfest celebration will be left up to the new Gadsden city council that will take office in November.

Mayor Sherman Guyton told the board of directors of the Chamber of Gadsden and Etowah county thursday that  exactly what direction the city will take with the festival is unknown. The board voted thursday to turn over the copyright name of the festival to the city.

The board’s vote was the formal approval of the decision announced earlier that The Chamber was not interested in sponsoring the festival in the future. The City Council was told of the decision Sept. 2, and told that the city would be given rights to the copyrighted name.

Chamber President Heather Brothers New said the board’s vote to turn over the rights to the name of the festival that will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year was unanimous.

RiverFest lost $42,000 this year, and Chamber president Heather Brothers New said The Chamber needed to focus on activities that promote commerce for members.

New said the organization hopes the festival will achieve a new level of success with changes made to revitalize it, and will be willing to share the experience it has had in running the festival.

Guyton said the city likely would be willing to help whoever takes over the event, with the police department assisting with security and public works helping in other ways.