Post-Event Thank You: From the Desk of the Chief Visionary Officer

Community EventsMusic and PerformancesEvent Recaps

Sep 4

Thank You for Making the 3rd Annual River City Rhythm & Rock Festival a Success!

Dear River City Family,

As I reflect on this year's 3rd Annual River City Rhythm & Rock Festival, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who helped make it such a memorable day. From the incredible talent on stage to the vibrant community of vendors, volunteers, and attendees, this festival was a true testament to the spirit of our city.

Organizing a festival is a complex and challenging process. But through it all, what keeps me going is the passion I have for building something meaningful alongside people who share that same commitment to creativity and community. Every year, I see more growth—not just in the festival itself, but in the people who come together to make it happen.

A Festival Rooted in Growth and Community

Over the past three years, River City Rhythm & Rock has grown beyond just a music event. It has become a gathering space for creativity, a platform for local artists and vendors to shine, and a celebration of all the diverse talents that make Fitchburg so special. This year, I was especially moved by the evolution of our vendors and performers—many of whom I’ve watched grow since our first festival. Seeing them refine their craft, expand their reach, and bring their best to the table fills me with pride and optimism for what’s ahead.

To all the performers—from Thurston Consort, Tasteless Jack, Buddhi de Mal, Merrick Henry, Dr. Huh?! and the Cosmic Wimps, K Fingers Band, Provenance, Vile Impulse, DJKADOMIXX, Respected Rejectz, Northside Cam, Ham Honcho x Hoodie, BurgFam, Gerk, Chon$, BaeAk, Jazzy Lionman, Freddy Stone, DJ Lucas & 22BB, Q-FURB, and JoE GrIzZly—you all brought a level of artistry and energy that lit up the day and night. Your passion and hard work continue to make River City Rhythm & Rock the cultural force that it is.

A special thanks to our vendors: Dragonfly Designs, Icarus, Infinite Creations, Steriorgon, Kat’s Kreations, Long Dog Acoustic Instrument Cases, Lauren Olivia Jewelry Design, The Opal Moon Shop, Katarina Artwork, Rosalie’s Journey/Logically Unique, The Closet Shop, The Main Squeeze Co., and Iridescent Soul Trades.

Your creativity and dedication added so much color and energy to the event. Thank you for your continued belief in this festival and for sharing your amazing products with our community.

Our Organizers & Volunteers: The Heart of the Festival

None of this would have been possible without an incredible team behind the scenes. My deepest thanks to Joseph Murchison, Merrick Henry, Audrey Pendleton-Chow, Michelle Carpenter, Kristin Wagner and Tony Guglioti (Dance Decent), Jennifer Maynard, Anthony Fahey, and Justen Hires, who worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly. Your leadership, focus, and commitment were the driving forces behind this year’s success.

Shout out to the hands-on support from Saad, Lilly, Xjavier, Ascenzio, Akia, Rosalie, Sean, Kyle, DeAundre, Jailine, and Sue Mitch. Your efforts made it possible for everything to come together. Whether setting up, managing logistics, or simply being there to help at a moment’s notice, you all played an integral role.

City support from James Bunnell (Director of Parks and Recreation), Liz Murphy (Director of Community Development), and Mayor Sam Squailia was invaluable.

Thank you for your continued dedication to creating spaces where events like ours can thrive.

Food, Music, and More

A special thank you to our food vendors, Two Brothers Eats and Belmont Vegetarian, for keeping the crowd well-fed with delicious options. Your commitment to quality and flexibility is deeply appreciated.

Our Sponsors: A Pillar of Support

We couldn’t have achieved this level of success without the generous backing of our sponsors:

Fitchburg Creative City Partnership – Your vision and leadership in fostering arts-based economic development have been instrumental in bringing River City Rhythm & Rock to life.
Fidelity Bank MA – The Frosty Flyer was a hit, and your support helped keep the festival lively and fun for everyone.
Mass Cultural Council – Your steadfast advocacy for the arts is a major reason why festivals like ours can thrive. We are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support.
The Healing Center and Sanctuary Medicinals – Thank you for adding an element of wellness and community care to this year’s event.
The Cellar, Tiny Fest, Young Coff33 Productions, Thurston Consort, Looks Legit, Iridescent Soul Trades, and DJ Chippy – Your collaboration and contributions elevated this festival to new heights.

Personal Reflections and Looking Ahead

This year felt a little different for me. As many of you know, my visual abilities have been changing, and this has made me approach organizing the festival in a new way. It’s made me even more aware of the importance of hyper-focusing—not just on the big picture but on all the little details that make events like this so special.

Thank you to everyone who gave me the space and grace to move through the day and stay locked in on what mattered most.

As I look toward the future, I’m excited to continue building on this momentum. Year 4 is already on my mind, and I’m eager to see how we can keep growing, improving, and bringing even more people together. If you want to get involved or have ideas for next year, I encourage you to reach out—we're always looking for new voices and fresh perspectives.

Thank you for believing in this festival, in our community, and in the power of creativity to bring us together. Your support means everything, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll create next.

With gratitude and excitement for what’s to come,