Riverview Stage nears completion

New Albany, MS- Workmen installed the last major feature of the Riverview Stage at New Albany’s Park-Along-the-River, Thursday, July 28th.

Four large “sails,” were installed, connected to six one-foot-diameter steel columns with cables and turnbuckles. The “sails” shade the stage and are made of a highly-engineered fabric with a 20-year warranty. The installation is designed to withstand 100-m.p.h. winds.

The Riverview Stage “sails” are made of a highly-engineered fabric with a 20-year warranty.

Sails connect to six one-foot-diameter steel columns.

New Albany Tourism Director Sean Johnson said lighting, some landscaping and other “finish” work are all that remain to complete the stage. Construction began in early April.

The Riverview Stage in Park-Along-the-River is designed to withstand 100 mile per hour winds.

The project was initiated last year when Johnson asked State Representative Margaret Rogers to try to obtain a grant to cover the cost of its construction. Rogers secured a $175-thousand grant, passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor. The grant can be used for any purpose to improve recreational facilities in New Albany. It is expected that the stage will be completed at near its estimated cost of $100-thousand

Riverview Stage, seen from the right bank of the Little Tallahatchei River.

Although the Riverview Stage was not yet complete, most of the free Levitt AMP concerts have been held on the stage this year as was entertainment for the Freedom Fest.

Johnson said the permanent stage would save the city more than $12,000 in costs for the rental of portable stages each time a major event, such as the Tallahatchie Riverfest, is held in the city.

The ninth concert of the Levitt series will be this Saturday evening and will feature music by Young Valley and popular local jazz ensemble, the Paul Tate Trio.