MINNEAPOLIS - By noon Saturday there could be as many as 30,000 people on Harriet Island, but organizers of the Rivers Edge Music Festival are focused less on event attendance this weekend than they are on the summer of 2017.
That's because they have a 5 year deal to be in St Paul, and by the end of it, they want Rivers Edge to be a destination for music fans, much like California's Coachella or Lollapalooza in Chicago.
To kick off this first year, crews today are building three stages and a tent for the 30 artists, and also making space for food trucks and vendors.
Organizers say the event is not like Taste of Minnesota, which was also held on Harriet Island, stressing that good music in a classic outdoor setting is what this event's all about.
"You've got acts such as Tool and Dave Mathews Band and a number of other artists that are very well known," said Jon Reens of Live Nation Music Midwest. "And then you've got some of your baby bands that you might not have the opportunity to see if it's not in this setting."
A total of 50,000 to 60,000 are expected at the event Saturday and Sunday, and tickets are still available.
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