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RIVERGATE FESTIVAL

April 16-18, 2026

Join us in the heart of the Mississippi Delta for a weekend of art, music, contests, and loads of FUN!  This makes over 33 years for this local Downtown Party, where everyone's invited. 

 

Activities include a BBQ competition to rival all cook-offs, live entertainment all weekend long, and not to mention the best Crawfish this side of the Mississippi! 

This festival is free to the public, with food & children's activities available for purchase. 

 

You do not want to miss the 33rd Annual Rivergate Festival!

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LIVE MUSIC
ALL WEEKEND!

 
2026 music sponsors

Rivergate Park Amphitheater Stage Sponsors 









Mural Park Gateway to the Blues Stage Sponsor 









2026 Rivergate Festival Music Schedule

THURSDAY | APRIL 16
Mural Park Gateway to the Blues Stage
6:00PM - 9:00PM | Marshall Drew
Rivergate Amphitheater Stage
5:00PM - 7:00PM | Kody Harrell
7:30PM - 10:00PM | Joe Austin & The Tallhatchies
 
FRIDAY | APRIL 17
Mural Park Stage Gateway to the Blues Stage
5:00PM - 7:00PM | Delta Heart
7:30PM - 10:00PM | Live Wire
Rivergate Park Amphitheater Stage
5:00PM - 7:00PM | Honeyboy and Boots
7:30PM - 10:00PM | Keith Johnson and The Big Muddy Band
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SATURDAY | APRIL 18
Mural Park Gateway to the Blues Stage

10:00AM - 1:00PM | Reid Sanders
1:30PM - 4:00PM | Mary Aline
Rivergate Park Amphitheater Stage
10:00AM - 1:00PM | Grassfire Bluegrass Band
1:30PM - 4:00PM | Truck Patch Revival

 
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Crawfish Alley!

Over 15,000 pounds of Grade A Louisiana Crawfish

Last year the Crawfish Crew set a record by selling 16,000 pounds of Crawfish!  Come out again this year to see what the crew is cookin' up. 

In an effort to provide a better experience for all our guests, the Crawfish Crew is not allowing coolers to be brought in and filled with crawfish on Thursday or Friday.  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding with this change.​​

SINGLE WRISTBAND: $60
SINGLE PLATTER: $20

Wristbands are good for 3 platters [crawfish, corn, potatoes, sausage, soft drink and water]

TITANIUM SPONSOR: $1,100
30 WRISTBANDS INCLUDES 3 FAST PASS BANDS

PLATINUM SPONSOR: $500
13 WRISTBANDS

GOLD SPONSOR: $300
6 WRISTBANDS

SILVER SPONSOR: $150
3 WRISTBANDS

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WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

Whether you are a sponsor, donor, competitor, or volunteer, there are so many ways to participate in Rivergate Festival!

Keep scrolling to get involved!

THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS

Choose Sponsorship Level:
RIVERGATE FESTIVAL
2026 SPONSORSHIP FORM
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vendor & tent registration is closed for the 2026 festival

submit a form below to be on the vendor contact list for the 2027 festival

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BBQ CONTEST SIGN-UP

Compete
Judge

or

BBQ Teams are invited to compete in our People's Choice Drink Competition!

The 2026 Rivergate Festival BBQ Competition is brought to you by

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VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP

What day(s) are you available?
What time of day do you prefer?
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
All Day!
Unable to donate your time? Make a monetary donation!
$10
$20
$30

Schedule of Events

Take a look at last year's itinerary!
Thursday, April 16, 2026
  • Road closures on Edwards Avenue begins at noon for tent load in
  • Family/Social tents may move in between 2pm and 4pm.
  • 5:00pm – 10:00pm Live Music on the Rivergate Park Amphitheatre Stage
  • 5:00pm Crawfish Alley Opens
  • 5:30pm Sponsors Reception - Invitation Only, and BBQ Teams pick their spots.  BBQ Teams may load in directly after
  • 6:00pm – 8:00pm Live music at the Mural Park Stage
  • 11:00pm Rivergate Festival shuts down for the night
Friday, April 17, 2026
  • Noon until 3pm: BBQ Teams, Children’s Area, Food Trucks, Arts and Crafts Booths load in.

  • 3pm: ALL VENDORS MUST BE LOADED IN AND MOVE THEIR VEHICLES IF NECESSARY

  • 4:00pm:  Bounce Houses in Kid's Country Open - wristbands available for purchase!

  • 5:00pm:  Crawfish Alley Opens

  • 5:00pm – 10:00pm Live Music on the Rivergate Park Amphitheatre Stage

  • 5:00pm - 10:00pm Live music on the Mural Park Stage

  • 11:00pm Festival begins to shut down

Saturday, April 18, 2026
  • 8:00am BBQ Teams may continue loading in

  • 9:00am BBQ Team Captain Meeting at turn in location 1255 Main Street

  • 10:00am Arts and Crafts vendors, food vendors, and Children’s Activities start – all vehicles must be moved from the festival area at 10am on Saturday

  • 11:00am BBQ Judges Meeting

  • 11:00am Crawfish Alley opens

  • 11:00am - 1:00pm  Drink Tickets available for purchase for People's Choice Bloody Mary and Margarita Tastings

  • 10:00am – 4:00pm Live Music on Rivergate Park Amphitheatre Stage

  • 10:00am – 4:00pm Live Music on Mural Park Stage

  • 3:00pm BBQ Results announced on Rivergate Park Amphitheatre Stage

  • 4:00pm Vendors and Children’s Activities may load out.

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