Future of Gadsden's RiverFest uncertain

Gadsden's RiverFest, the two-day music and food festival that's been part of the city since 1987, has an uncertain future.  The Gadsden Area Chamber of Commerce usually organizes the festival with the help of corporate sponsors, but president Heather New says the chamber is looking to get out of the RiverFest business and says this year's event lost money. According to New talks about transitioning away from the festival began years ago as a way to free up chamber employees who often spend six months of the year putting the event together.  New says the chamber is in discussion with two different groups about taking over the festival.She says if and when it's held in Gadsden again, it will likely see a lot of changes.

Meanwhile,  RiverFest was  named event of the year by the Alabama Tourism Department. Chamber president Heather New, accepted the award Monday night on behalf of RiverFest at a banquet during the Alabama Governor's Conference on Tourism in Auburn.