Rockin' the River returns to Panther Island on June 16

April 11,2016

By: Preston Jones

In its six years of existence, Rockin’ the River has become as integral a part of summer as ice cream and baseball.

The popular concert series, staged by the Trinity River Vision Authority, returns to Fort Worth’s Panther Island Pavilion on June 16, kicking off with Mike & the Moonpies and “after party” performer John Baumann.

“Rockin’ the River is unlike any other event in Fort Worth,” says J.D. Granger, executive director of the Trinity River Vision Authority. “We have the only waterfront stage in Texas, and it’s the only place in town to stay cool while watching a concert in the summer.

“Our fans can hang out under the shade trees or float in the river and listen to great live music without having to leave the heart of the city. You just can’t beat the experience.”

Organizers promise “fresh acts, as well as favorites from previous years.”

The lineup for the summer concert series, which annually draws thousands, includes Prophets & Outlaws (June 23), Eleven Hundred Springs (June 30), Dalton Domino (July 7), Dolly Shine (July 14), Parker McCollum (July 21), Zane Williams (July 28), Midnight River Choir (Aug. 4) and Dirty River Boys (Aug. 11).

Gates for each concert, held in downtown Fort Worth every Thursday through August, open at 4:30 p.m. and the concerts are free.

The audience can either watch the music from the comfort of a blanket or lawn chair on the bank of the Trinity River, or grab an inner tube and take in the tunes while floating in the water.

Headlining acts get going at 6:45 p.m., the “after party” bands take the stage at 8:30 p.m., and each concert is capped with a fireworks display.

In addition to the live music and outdoor activities, patrons can visit the Coors Riverfront Ice House, which offers shade, cold beer and televisions that organizers promise “play Texas Rangers games when they are on.”

A new addition to this year’s Rockin’ the River lineup is the series’ final show, scheduled for Aug. 13, which is a Saturday. Apart from being on a different day, the last concert of the summer is also an all-day affair, something organizers say attendees have been requesting.

The Aug. 13 mini-festival will be, like all the other Rockin’ the River events, free, and parking will be free as well. Gates will open at 1 p.m. that day.

The five bands scheduled to perform are Cooder Graw, Red Shahan, Aaron Einhouse, Statesboro Revue and Austin Allsup.

“People have come from as far as Waco to attend Rockin’ the River,” Granger says. “However, those traveling have a tough time making the event during the week. They asked for a weekend show, and this year we are giving it to them by capping the season in style with an all-day series finale.”

Full details about the season’s schedule and other Rockin’ the River-related information will be on the event’s website,pantherislandpavilion.com/rockintheriver, beginning Friday.