Fans of all things Fab Four return to the Belvedere this weekend for Abbey Road on the River, the festival dedicated to that massively famous band of yesterday, the Beatles.This year, the festival expands to include an additional stage next to the Muhammad Ali Center. General admission tickets will give festival goers access to all the performances at the new stage, and this year’s free festival kickoff concert will also be held at the new stage.Festival spokesperson Ali Hawthorne said she has high hopes for the festival this year.“This year is actually shaping up to be, we think, one of the best," Hawthorne said. "As far as the musical lineup we have one of the heaviest, star-studded lineups talent wise than we’ve ever had before and now that the weather forecast is looking beautiful it just means we’re setting ourselves up to possibly break some attendance records.”Abbey Road on the River partnered with the Ali Center in part because of the new pedway connecting the Belvedere over the Muhammad Ali Plaza, Hawthorne said.She adds, " also back in 1964 Muhammad Ali actually met The Beatles and it just seemed like a no brainer this year to partner with them.”Abbey Road on the River starts at 11:30 a.m. Friday with a free lunchtime concert at the Ali Plaza. This year’s lineup features famous faces like Leon Russel, Herman’s Hermits with Peter Noone, and lead guitarist for The Wings Laurence Juber. The festival runs through Monday; you can see a schedule here.
