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Rain holds off as music fest rocks
By Marcus O�Neal
Published:
Monday, April 26, 2004
Media Credit: Ryan Henry
Fest-goer Jeremy Frisk and his date enjoy the beautiful weather Sunday afternoon at the Mississippi Music Fest at Riverside Park. The day featured food, vendors, children´s programs and six different bands.
Even the threat of rain couldn't dampen the spirits of over 10,000 people who attended this year's Mississippi Music Fest at Riverside Park.
With the temperature hovering around 36 degrees and rain falling all Saturday night, UPB (University Program Board) members were up early Sunday morning checking the local forecast.
"It's kind of a tradition for us to go to Perkins at 4 a.m. and call for the weather around 6 a.m.," said Colton Pratt, UPB member.
Thankfully, right before the decision had to be made as to whether or not move the venue inside to the Halenbeck Fieldhouse, the skies cleared and the sun came out. The all day event featured three musical stages, food vendors, arts and crafts, a children's area and various booths from SCSU student organizations.
The decision on what musical groups should play at the event is done in part by some of the bands' own eagerness for exposure.
"Most of the bands contact us," Pratt said. "They send us their CD and then we contact their agents. The toughest part is getting the headliner."
The music started at 11 a.m. with a slight lineup change. Craig Stephen was slated to play but broke his hand and was replaced by Robert Gonzales. North to Emerson, the winner of the recent SCSU battle of the bands, started about 12:30 p.m. Tamara Bedricky and Baba and Open Thought followed.
The night was highlighted by the nationally acclaimed rock band Revis. Revis' first album "Places for Breathing" is in heavy rotation on MTV and their song "Caught in the Rain," was featured on the Daredevil soundtrack.
"The music is a little too mellow for me, but it's not bad," said SCSU student Allen Forbes. "It's also a nice relaxing atmosphere."
Part of that relaxing atmosphere has to do with the cooperation between SCSU students and the St. Cloud Police Department. On this day, students are permitted to bring coolers and drink their beverage of choice in the park.
The food vendors at the event were reminiscent of the food vendors you would find at your local county fair.
They had mini-donuts, beer battered fries, snow cones and the always popular cheese curds.
The children's play area consisted of pony rides and a large inflatable dinosaur romp-a-room.
"I liked it because there was a lot of cool stuff in there," said Gage O'Neal.
The rock climbing display gave guests the opportunity to test their climbing abilities without risking their life.
Various fraternities, sororities and other SCSU student organizations were selling hot dogs and pop to raise money.
Various arts and crafts booths offered a wide array of products from bracelets and necklaces, to African art and sarong (a garment that can be worn in five different ways).
For five years now Tom Aerts has been displaying his booth at the festival and he said two things will effect business.
"Depends on the weather and depends on the people," Aerts said. "But this is usually a good show."
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