An exhibit celebrating the 30th anniversity of the MRF will be at the SIUE Campus Museum in the University Center. Photographs of the festival will be featured. The exhibit is set to open in March. For nine years, SIUE entertained the world through the Mississippi River Festival. More than 300 acts captured more than 2 million hearts.
Many people remember what it was like and now share their memories with their children.
They sometimes wonder why the concerts ever stopped. According to Ward, Rendleman was the spark behind the festival. Bad public perceptions along with the expenses were also major factors in the decision to stop the festival. Still another reason was offered by Annice Brave, a University News Service reporter during MRF days. It was tough for the university to handle a big concert promotion.