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The Riverfront Soul Festival returns to Franklin for its third year this September and is continuing to grow to meet the interests and needs of the community.

The festival will run from Friday, Sept. 8, through Sunday, Sept. 10, and its two primary locations will be Barrett’s Landing and Camp Community College’s Workforce Development Center.

Festival founder and organizer Dr. Eric Majette noted that this year, the event will feature a comedy show, expanded health care offerings and a national R&B and funk artist at the music festival.

He also noted that the presenting sponsor for the festival is Truist Bank.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 8

The Riverfront Soul Festival will begin Friday with the free Community Health Expo, which will run from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Workforce Development Center.

Majette said Old Dominion University will have a presence at the expo, with its medical bay.

He also noted that the expo will offer free health screenings.

“Kids can get their sports physicals,” he said. “We’ve also got mental health breakout sessions. We’ve got stroke awareness.”

He said the expo will also address substance abuse, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer awareness.

“You name it — it’s going to be there,” he said.

He explained that the Community Health Expo is meant to meet needs in the community, as diabetes is especially prevalent in the area.

“We’re trying to bring services to Western Tidewater,” he said.

The evening on Sept. 8 will feature something new — the Riverfront Soul Festival Comedy Explosion.

There will be a fee to attend this event, and ticket pricing information and the opportunity to purchase tickets can be found at EventBrite.com.

The comedy show will be hosted by Anguz Black and will be starring Charles Walden and Dante Carter.

Doors will open at the Workforce Development Center at 5:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 9

The Riverfront Soul Festival moves to Barrett’s Landing on Saturday where the free music festival will take place from 1-7 p.m.

Majette indicated that a national R&B and funk artist will take the stage at 6 p.m.

The music festival will feature several other artists as well, including Champagne Band and SeamLess Band.

There will also be food vendors on hand.

“There’s still vending opportunities,” Majette said.

Representatives of Truist Bank will be at the music festival to make a presentation.

“They’re going to be presenting the sponsorship check on stage on Saturday,” Majette said.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 10

The final day of the Riverfront Soul Festival will feature the New Life Global Community Worship Service at 11 a.m. and the GospelFest at around 1 p.m.

Both free events will be held at Barrett’s Landing. If weather does not permit this, the events will move indoors at the Workforce Development Center.

Majette, who is senior pastor of New Life Church Global in Franklin, will preach at the worship service.

The GospelFest will feature Christian rap artist Kendall Williams, the Celebration Church Franklin praise team, the New Life Church Global praise team, the First Baptist Church of Franklin praise dancers and a host of other Gospel artists.

The Riverfront Soul Festival will conclude around 6 p.m.

Majette noted that the festival will include giveaways and a variety of different vendors.