CELEBRATE LIFE ON THE RIVER AT THE 17TH ANNUAL
MISSISSIPPI EARTHTONES FESTIVAL!

The Mississippi Earthtones Festival, brought to you by Alton Main Street, the Sierra Club, and Jacoby Arts Center is a celebration of our river through art, music, and conservation which is held every 3rd Saturday in September.

When: September 16th 2023 – Noon-10pm
Family-friendly activities take place from Noon until 6:00pm, and festival goers will enjoy artist booths and live music which continue until 10:00pm.

Where: Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater (#1 Riverfront Drive – Alton, IL 62002)

At this free & family-friendly event, we will feature 70+ educational booths, live music, interactive art experiences and performances, as well as great local food & beverages. Our goal is to bring locals and tourists alike to Downtown Alton to celebrate life on the Mississippi River and learn about ways that we can all be good stewards of our environment.

Entertainment schedule:
Jake’s Leg – Grateful Dead Tribute (7-10pm)
Loftys Comet  – Alternative Indie Jazz (3-6pm)
Mattie Schell & Friends – Americana (Noon-2pm)
Jason “Gordo” Gordon – 1-Man, 10-Piece Band (2-3pm & 6-7pm)

A few volunteer shifts remain on September 16th at the festival grounds, and anyone who pitches in will receive a free festival t-shirt. Volunteers can also participate in the MEF River Clean Up, which will take place the following Saturday, Sept. 23rd. Boats will ferry volunteers to clean up riverbanks and islands from 9am-12pm, and pre-registration is required to reserve your seat. Approximately 46 tons of trash have been removed from the Mississippi River during MEF clean-ups to date. Volunteers can register online for both options at www.DowntownAlton.com/Events.

Come hungry because there will be a great selection of local food & beverages on site from The Old Bakery Beer Company, Gentelin’s on Broadway, Taqueria Los Toros, Big Boys Q, Food Revival Food Truck, Fia Wood Fired Pizza, Rollin Dogs, Team Honduras, The Brown Bag Bistro, Taqueria Maya, Mo’z Sweet Treats, CJ’s Juicery, and Bubba Grump’s Smoked Pretzels. Illinois American Water will bring their trailer of spigots offering free chilled water, our guests are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle.

Make sure to gather in front of the main stage at 4:20 to be a part of our arial photo provided by 618 Drone Service! At 4:30, three local champions for the environment will be presented with the Confluence Conservation Leadership Award: Carla Cope, Clifford Clark, and Tim Podhorn.

On the following Saturday, September 23rd at 9:00 a.m., join us for a litter cleanup on the river. Bring your own gloves, water bottle and boots or sturdy shoes. The clean-up will take place rain or shine. Over 46 tons of trash have been removed from the Mississippi River during MEF clean-ups to date, with more than 3,300 volunteer hours contributed. Check back soon for the registration form!

This festival is held annually as part of the State of Illinois’ “It’s Our River Day” initiative to celebrate Illinois watersheds through education, recreation and conservation.