Alton Main Street, the Sierra Club Illinois’ Three Rivers Project, and Jacoby Arts Center are announcing the return of the Mississippi Earthtones Festival to the Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, September 20th from noon until 10:00 p.m. The 19th annual festival in Downtown Alton is a vibrant celebration dedicated to our river and environment. Featuring over 25 environmental education exhibits, more than 70 eco-conscious artists and makers, and 12 culinary vendors, the event offers a rich array of activities and displays that highlight conservation and community engagement. The festival is free to attend and draws approximately 5,000 community members and tourists who come together to enjoy art, music, and local foods in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere. The organizations are seeking sponsors and volunteers for their 19th annual event.
Live music will fill the air throughout the day. The entertainment lineup on the main stage will feature: Spillie Nelson (a reggae, rock, blues, jam band from St. Louis, MO., changing lives with positive vibes) from 12:00-1:45, Any Major Dudes (An Authentic Steely Dan Experience) from 3:15-6:00, Jake’s Leg (the longest running Grateful Dead tribute in the United States) from 7:00-10:00, and between each act will be a performance by Jason “Gordo” Gordon (1-Man, 10-Piece Band) from 1:45-2:45 and 6:00-7:00.
Dozens of community organizations work together to produce this premier event that fulfills a request from the State of Illinois to organize activities that promote education, recreation, and conservation of our waterways on “It’s Our River Day”, the 3rd Saturday in September. Additionally, the Festival encourages use of and appreciation for the Mississippi Riverfront while raising awareness of the environmentally friendly businesses, activities and organizations in our region. Local artists will offer nature-inspired, hand-made, and environmentally friendly wares for sale.
Participants can enjoy large interactive art installations curated to enhance the festival grounds by Kooliverse, Riverbend Yarnbombers, and PERSPECTIVE PAINTS. In addition, there will be a Zen Zone tent with free classes, the culmination of the Great Rivers Rendezvous Kayak event, and the Confluence Conservation Awards will be on stage at 2:45pm. Jacoby Arts Center Playground will feature live performances, interactive art, and fun for all! Watch artists create, make your own masterpieces, and relax under the trees on cozy blankets. Kids will enjoy special activities, and the Riverbend Yarn Bombers will unveil their amazing installation in the JAC zone!
Local food and drinks will be available from noon until 10pm. The Old Bakery Beer Company has created a special “Earthtones IPA”, a West Coast-style IPA brewed with Kernza, which will be available at the festival. Kernza is a perennial grain crop derived from intermediate wheatgrass, known for its deep root system, which helps improve soil health and reduce erosion compared to annual crops.
A variety of fun and educational activities are planned for families from Noon until 6:00 p.m., and there will be several agencies on hand to teach consumers how to incorporate more sustainable practices into their daily lives. Conservation-based organizations will offer exhibits to showcase their missions, and environmentally-conscious businesses will have booths to promote their products to the crowd while also supporting our community’s commitment to protect the Mississippi River—our region’s most important natural resource.
An organized recreational paddle on the Mississippi River called the Great Rivers Rendezvous is being coordinated by the Mississippi River Water Trail Association on the morning of the festival. Participants can choose from four launch points depending on the distance you would like to paddle: 3 miles starting from Alta Villa, 7 miles starting from Piasa Harbor, 12 miles starting from Hideaway Harbor, or the all-new 2-day paddle on the Great Rivers of the Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri on Saturday and Sunday. Participants will finish at the Alton Boat Launch or have the option to lock through the Melvin Price Lock and Dam. Participants on all routes will be accompanied by trained safety boaters from paddling organizations associated with the Missouri Paddling Coalition, and all participants will finish at Alton’s Riverfront Park to enjoy the festival afterwards. Full details and registration information can be found at www.MississippiRiverWaterTrail.org
Volunteers are needed for short shifts on September 20th at the festival grounds, as well as for the MEF River Clean Up which will take place the following Saturday, Sept. 27th; to date nearly 52 tons of trash have been removed from the river at MEF clean ups. Anyone who pitches in on either Saturday will receive a free festival T-shirt.
“The theme of this year’s Mississippi Earthtones Festival is ‘Bloom Where You’re Planted’, and we will fill Alton’s riverfront with art that interprets this subject. We can’t wait to introduce attendees to the wide variety of entertainers and exhibitors who are committed to celebrating and protecting our beautiful Mississippi River,” said Sara McGibany, Executive Director of Alton Main Street.
The Sierra Club will purchase carbon credits to offset the carbon emissions associated with the festival’s footprint, ensuring they maximize their positive impact. Festival-goers will have the opportunity to engage with various non-profit organizations during the event, taking action for both people and the planet while enjoying a festive atmosphere. Christine Favilla, Three Rivers Project Coordinator, emphasized, “Attendees can feel assured that we are taking significant steps to minimize the environmental footprint related to the lights, sounds, hotel stays, and transportation to and from the festival.”
This event is held annually on the third Saturday in September as part of the State of Illinois’ “It’s Our River Day” initiative to celebrate Illinois watersheds through education, recreation and conservation activities. To inquire about sponsoring the event please email info@altonmainstreet.org, and to sign up as a volunteer please visit www.DowntownAlton.com/Events. To stay up-to-date on announcements, please follow: www.facebook.com/EarthtonesFestival.