University Chronicle

Issue date: 4/30/07 Section: Intermission

Media Credit: Nicole Bock Austin O'Keefe, 8, Matthew Seifer, 7, and Karen O'Keefe play the ring toss at Mississippi Music Fest Sunday afternoon. Mississippi Music Fest was moved on campus this year behind the National Hockey Center.

Media Credit: Nicole Bock Michelle Hagen, 6, practices putting at MMF Sunday afternoon. This year, MMF offered a carnival, street fair, as well as live bands.

The 22nd annual Mississippi Music Fest (MMF) was received with mixed reviews from students and community members.

The headliner for the event was Tyler Hilton, a pop-rock artist. The winner of this year's Battle of the Unsigned Bands, Tomorrows Forgotten, also performed.

The fest showcased other performers including Leroy Smokes, Shevy Smith, Soulfege and Sherwood.

SCSU graduate Kelly Ziemer said she went to MMF only to stand in line for arriving too early. She said the event gave her the same impression as a county fair, minus the beer gardens.

"I had heard rumors that the event wasn't going to allow alcohol, but I don't think it hurt the attendance of college students," said Brianna Backus, second-year student. "I didn't know much about it, but it doesn't look like there are many college students here."

Much of the events' controversy came from the alcohol ban. University Program Board (UPB) had previously drawn a crowd of 10,000-20,000 for MMF when it was conducted at Riverside Park.

MMF committee member Jen Hernandez said she thinks the move is a smart choice because the UPB wanted to make it a friendly environment for families and kids.

"We wanted to lower the alcohol intake and make it more relaxed and not so rowdy," she said.

"We were worried about the attendance, but I don't think not allowing alcohol affected the attendance this year," Hernandez said. "I've never been to this event before but I think this is a good turnout."

Hernandez said she saw a lot of community members, but equally as many students. The event allowed students to come to a free event, listen to music and enjoy a nice, relaxing and entertaining day.

"I don't know if alcohol was ever allowed at MMF. I think students just did it because they felt like it," Hernandez said.

After going to MMF a few times, SCSU graduate Carrie Schreier said she believes banning alcohol from the event takes half the fun out of it.

"I didn't go this year because it's just not going to be the same," she said.

"It looks like it's pretty dull because no one's really here," said Reid Raisanen, second-year student. "I came here to see what my tuition money's being spent on."

Raisanen said he thinks the event took place so SCSU could do their part in keeping students out of trouble. The event is probably used to draw students in, he said.

MMF committee member, Colton Pratt said he thinks the move from Riverside was a good challenge, but he wishes UPB would have been allowed to try the "We I.D." idea.

MnSCU and SCSU made the decision not to do a trial event that would require attendees to be carded. Pratt said he thinks the alcohol ban hurt event turnout, but the event was supposed to be community oriented anyway.

Last year, the event was rained out so the performances took place in Atwood. Nearly 300 people came to hear music that included headliner Josh Kelley.

Fourth-year student Teresa Stack said she had never been to MMF before, but thought the event gave SCSU name recognition and familiarity for those that attended.

Community member and mom Angie Harper said she has been to MMF before and thinks the move from Riverside Park was a good idea because the location works better. What's missing this year is a mass of students and alcohol, but it was still just as fun. Harper admits that she didn't know there was an alcohol ban, but did notice the decrease in attendance.

At first glance, it would appear MMF was a children's carnival. Clusters of students could be found scattered throughout, but the majority of attendees were community members.

UPB representatives said they liked the idea of MMF bridging the gap between SCSU and the community, and somewhat achieved that goal with this event.

Many students did not attend this year because of the alcohol ban, but there were still around 3,000 people at the event. UPB representatives said they were satisfied with the turnout.

Several students commented student money could be used more wisely, especially because the event did not produce a high student turnout.

Pratt said MMF will be located in the same location next year.

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