The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced that its flagship music festival, previously held in Raleigh, North Carolina for over a decade, will relocate to Chattanooga in September 2025. This move marks a significant shift for the festival, which has been a staple in Raleigh for the past 12 years.
Ken White, Executive Director of the IBMA, explained the decision to move the festival, stating, “Part of our mission is to grow the music and spread it around, so that is why we were looking for a new place.” White emphasized that the festival’s new home, the Scenic City, aligns with their goal of expanding the reach of bluegrass music.
Chattanooga will soon be introduced to a new, multi-day music and arts festival. Announced on Monday, this yet-to-be-named event is scheduled to span the next three years and aims to benefit local residents, businesses, artists, and community cultural partners.
This announcement comes as Chattanooga’s well-known music festivals, Riverbend and Moon River, are on hiatus this year. The introduction of the IBMA festival and the new arts event is anticipated to fill the gap left by these popular annual gatherings and contribute to the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
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