A Mississippi Earthtones Festival participant is seen in a 2018 photo. Plans have been finalized for this year's event noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday at the Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater. 

ALTON — The Mississippi Earthtones Festival returns to the  Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater Saturday for the 16th annual celebration of the river through art, music and conservation.

Presented by Alton Main Street and the Sierra Club, the free event runs noon to 10 p.m. with a theme this year of "Amplify the River." After several years in downtown Alton, the festival this year is returning to the Alton riverfront. 

“We look forward to filling our riverfront with a celebration of the beautiful Mississippi River,” said Sara McGibany, executive director of Alton Main Street. “This event attracts the most wonderful attendees who are passionate about protecting Alton’s greatest natural asset.” 

Several groups will be on hand to teach consumers how to incorporate more sustainable practices into their daily lives. The Sierra Club will have an informational booth on pollinators and clean energy, as well as a watershed model table for kids and a children’s painting booth that will contribute to a large festival sculpture.

“This year’s event offers strong education components that are working towards a sustainable future, especially as it relates to the Mississippi River,” said Christine Favilla, Three Rivers Project Co-Coordinator for Alton’s Sierra Club. “The Alton Piasa Palisades Group of the Sierra Club is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, so be sure to check out the citizen action items you can take at this festival.”

Local artists have been commissioned to build large installations for this year's festival. The Riverbend Yarn Bombers are knitting and crocheting a textile sculpture titled "Eyes on the River" that will encompass the fountain at Riverfront Park. Kooliverse will present artwork, including a 16-foot kaleidoscope. A light show is planned by local projection artists and a meet and greet with a river mermaid is part of thos year's festival. 

Jacoby Arts Center has lined up an art playground of performances and interactive experiences featuring painting, dance and flag performances, aerial arts, pole acrobatics, hoop spinning, stilt walking, hydro dipping, free body painting and a community ceramics project. A big top tent will provide a shady “Zen Zone” coordinated by Soul Sanctuary that will offer yoga classes, guided meditation, chair massages and a flow workshop for poi spinners.

Wind-powered music is planned all day. The main stage will feature Loftys Comet with alternative Indie jazz) noon to 2 p.m., the Nonstop Reggae Band 3-6 p.m., and the Jake’s Leg Grateful Dead tribute band 7-10 p.m. Jason “Gordo” Gordon, a one-man 10-piece band, will perform 2-3 p/.m. aand 6-7 p.m. ASL interpreting will be provided by Gateway Interpreting Services.

The Alton Museum of History & Art will present information on the history of the Mississippi River and exploration in the Riverbend, including a fossil identification activity. The National Great Rivers Research & Education Center booth will discuss river research and offer an interactive trash timeline. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will have its interactive wildlife trailer for kids.

Park rangers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rivers Project, volunteers from the National Great Rivers Museum, and staff from the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary will discuss environmental stewardship and navigation along the Mississippi River. They will present water safety games and giveaways, as well as an overview of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam.

As part of its "IMG Gives Back" program, Imperial Manufacturing Group will collect jackets, hats, gloves and blankets for those in need. The first 25 donors will receive a recycled backpack IMG cooler.

The Better Building Institute will teach about energy efficiency, zero-energy home building and energy audits. Midwest Solar Solutions will discuss home solar panels. And V Salon by Valerie’s will offer hair braiding and vegan, organic, biodegradable hair care products.

Dozens of local artisans will offer nature-inspired, hand-made, environmentally-friendly wares including tie dyes, knit and crocheted items, leatherwork, handmade pet accessories and upcycled jewelry. Handmade all-natural soap and body care products also will be available, along with unique home décor, bird feeders, nature themed artwork, photography, products made with local honey, woodworking items, thrifted clothing, hemp products, eco-friendly scrubs and plants. 

At 3 p.m. Confluence Conservation Leadership Award will be presented to Dr. Connie Frey Spurlock, Rachel Lappin and Emily Ehley. 

Foods and beverages will be sold by Gentelin's on Broadway, Big Boys Q, The Rivers Vedge, Team Honduras, Taqueria Los Toros, BHB Mobile Kitchen, Foxes Boxes, Flourish Farm, CJ’s Juicery, The Old Bakery Beer Company, Idle Roasting Co., Bubba Grump Smoked Pretzels and 3 Sisters Tea, Apothecary & Yoga Studio.

Volunteers are still sought for the festival; anyone who pitches in will receive a free festival T-shirt. Volunteers can also sign-up for the MEF River Clean Up planned 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 24th. To date, the clean-ups have removed more than 45 tons of trash from the Mississippi River. To volunteer, visit www.DowntownAlton.com/Events.

Festival supporters include The Telegraph, the City of Alton, the Village of Godfrey, Madison County Resource Management, Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, Simmons Hanly Conroy, Lewis & Clark Community College Sustainability Department, Illinois Natural History Survey Great Rivers Field Station, Illinois American Water, AltonWorks, Giant City Properties, Argosy Casino Alton, Republic Services, 3As Sign Language Interpreting Services, Gateway Interpreting Services, Cope Plastics, The Old Bakery Beer Company, Chiro One Wellness Centers, Renewal by Andersen, Kooliverse, Jacoby Arts Center, Imperial Manufacturing, Taqueria Los Toros, Theodora Farms, Midwest Solar Solutions, Bright Star Uniform Shop, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Riverbender.com, WBGZ Radio and AdVantage.

For more information, visit www.DowntownAlton.com.

Ron DeBrock is a 40-year journalist who has led publications in Illinois, Arkansas and Missouri. He joined The Telegraph in Alton in 2019 as its managing editor.