Not only is there no sales tax on anything back-to-school related this weekend, there is a ton of free music in town for everyone to enjoy.  So, you can save over 9% on clothes, computers, shoes, and school supplies, plus catch some darn fine music, all the while keeping that change clanging around in your pockets. For more info on the tax-free holiday, click http://tn.gov/revenue/salestaxholiday .

The sixth annual edition of Riverfront Nights kicks off this Saturday night on the Chattanooga Riverfront, with activities beginning around 6 p.m. on the green, music at the Blue Cross Blue Shield stage at 7 p.

m. and New Orleans based headliner Papa Grows Funk at 8 p.m. All activities are free. Vendors will be hand with food, beverage and crafts.

The local band, Kymera, will open the music festivities at 7 p.m. The Hyper-energetic, horn based, genre-bending "funk stars" won last year's "Battle of the Bands"...and they've only gotten better.

Papa Grows Funk is a New Orleans funk & soul band. One of the world's most respected Hammond B-3 masters, Papa played to 10,000 during his hometown's recent "Jazz & Heritage Festival". Papa's pulled the "Bessie Smith Strut" crowd to their feet in years past and his killer new album, "Needle in the Groove" is a stunner.

Additional activities include "On the Green" - Disc Sports Night (ultimate, disc golf) Sponsored by "Outdoor Chattanooga".  Eco-Friendly Businesses & Charities gather at the "green/spaces" tent with sponsor Habitat for Humanity - Restore. Dogs are welcome at Riverfront Nights and even have their own VIP area -Under the 'The Pup Tent' at the 'Dog Pound' – sponsored by Pet Placement Center.

Riverfront Nights will run for six weeks, starting August 4, with a one week break for the Southern Brewers Festival on August 25. For more info on Riverfront Nights, including the full schedule, click on http://www.riverfrontnights.com/index.html.

Nightfall goes local this weekend, as Road to Nightfall winner, Strung Like A Horse, headlines the stage at Nightfall on Friday night. Local stars Jordan Hallquist and the Outfit open at 7 p.m. in Miller Plaza at Market & MLK Streets. This event is also free! For more info, just click on http://nightfallchattanooga.com .

The Chattanooga Market has free music this weekend, too. David Elliot and Mark Kelly Hall perform Sunday at the First Tennessee Pavilion at 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. respectively. You can always get information on the Chattanooga Market at http://chattanoogamarket.com .

For more fun and local music info, try www.chattanoogaentertainers.com or www.chattanooganightscope.com. They both have great local music info and schedules. For local info on Country music, try Jim Boles’ site www.chattacountry.ning.com.

Email Bob Payne at davrik2000@yahoo.com or catch him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/davrik2000 .