Mississippi River Festival, Summer concert venue at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Illinois, United States
The Mississippi River Festival was a performance venue on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus featuring a natural amphitheater hillside. The grounds included a circus tent and an acoustic shell structure at the base of the slope, where the grassy terrain served as seating.
The festival operated from 1969 to 1980 and became a major concert venue in the region. It gained recognition for bringing Bob Dylan back to perform after his 1966 motorcycle accident.
The concert series combined classical performances by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with rock acts including The Who, Eagles, and Grateful Dead.
Visitors brought blankets and cushions to sit comfortably on the grassy slopes with good sightlines to the stage. University students received discounted admission, making the venue accessible to the campus community.
A performance by The Who in September 1971 drew more than 32,000 people and set a regional record for concert attendance near St. Louis. This single event demonstrated the venue's ability to attract massive crowds, making it a must-stop destination for touring acts.
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