20th Annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival

Date and Time:
Sat, Sep 19, 2026; 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM  (Central)

Organized By: Piasa Palisades Group

Location: 1 Riverfront Dr, Alton, IL 62002, USA

Map | Directions

Event Organizers:
Christine Favilla
   christine.favilla@sierraclub.org
   6184017870

Organized by Alton Main Street, The Sierra Club, and Jacoby Arts Center

The 20th Annual free, family-friendly event offers attendees the opportunity to enjoy 30 educational booths offering free kids' activities, 60 eco-art booths, live music, interactive art exhibits, food, and beverages. Let's celebrate the Mississippi Riverfront and raise awareness of the environmentally friendly businesses, activities, and organizations in our region.

Dozens of community organizations collaborate to produce this premier event, which fulfills a request from the State of Illinois to organize activities promoting education, recreation, and conservation of our waterways on “It’s Our River Day,” the third Saturday in September. Free live music all day! Performers include The Matt Taul Band (Homegrown Americana), Jason "Gordo" Gordon, Master Blaster Stevie Wonder Tribute led by Steve Ewing of The Urge, and Jake's Leg.

Participants can immerse themselves in large, interactive art installations curated by Kooliverse and the Riverbend Yarn Bombers, designed to enhance the festival grounds with the focus on “Rooted in Rhythm". The Zen Zone tent offers free yoga and meditation classes for those seeking relaxation, and you can engage in meaningful conversations to enhance your connection with all life. Make sure to celebrate the Confluence Conservation Awards on stage at 3:30 pm, where three awardees will be highlighted. The Jacoby Arts Center Playground will come alive with live performances, interactive art activities, and entertainment for all ages, including shows by the Creative Dance Studio, lively ukulele performances, an improv show, live painting demonstrations, and clay-throwing sessions. Visitors can create their own masterpieces and unwind beneath the trees on cozy blankets. Kids and adults will enjoy special activities such as a live nautical flag performance at 3:45pm titled “100 Rivers: Signals of Repair,” and the Alton Youth Symphony volunteers will lead two kids’ parades featuring instruments they’ve made, at 3:15 pm and 6:15 pm. Delicious local food and drinks will be available until 10 pm, ensuring a fun-filled and memorable day for everyone.

A variety of fun and educational activities are planned for families from Noon until 6:00 p.m., and several agencies will be 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 protecting the Mississippi River - our region’s most important natural resource. 
 

Signup Instructions: If you'd like to volunteer, please register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CAFA72DA4FF2-61963235-2026#/

Cancellation Policy: Activity is held rain or shine, but may be altered due to inclement weather

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