‘We’re here for the community’: Fifth annual River City Rhythm & Rock Festival showcases talent

FITCHBURG — The 5th annual River City Rhythm & Rock Festival brought a creative and energetic vibe to the city over the weekend.

The event on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Riverfront Park featured a plethora of talented musicians showcasing a diverse mix of genres including hip-hop, jazz, R&B, rock, and more along with art and vendors.

The incredible lineup of local and regional performers included Grammy-winning artist Motif Alumni of Holy Grail Records, Leominster’s AV-8 with Drty Animal, Fee the Evolutionist, the city’s own Joe Grizzly, Estee Nack, and dozens of other artists who took the stage to entertain the large crowd gathered.

“Year five really put diversity and artistic excellence at the forefront, bringing in touring, Grammy-recognized talent alongside our festival staples,” said Chief Visionary Officer Derek Craig and co-founder of CoFF33 Corp, the city-based organization behind the popular annual event. “This festival is about coalition-building for the creative economy across North Central Mass and beyond — small movements, but strong ones.”

CoFF33 Corp Co-founder, Vice President, and Treasurer Joe Murchison echoed his sentiments.

“We’re often competing against other major festivals in our area but bringing the community together was what was needed,” he shared. “You hear the narrative that there’s nothing going on in Fitchburg. This weekend, even alongside the Greek Festival also happening in town, showed that’s not the case. We’re here for the community.”

For more information on this and other CoFF33 Corp happenings including future festivals and events visit coff33corp.org and follow Coff33 Corp. on Facebook and Instagram.