Harriet Island: A Musical Oasis in the Heart of St. Paul

Harriet Island has long been a hub for music lovers in the Twin Cities, playing host to a diverse array of music festivals over the years. From the iconic Riverfest to the short-lived but memorable River's Edge, this picturesque park has witnessed some of the biggest names in the industry grace its stages. Join us as we explore the rich history and enduring allure of Harriet Island's musical legacy.

Unlocking the Enchantment of Harriet Island

Rockin' the River: A Legendary Debut

While Harriet Island may be the primary focus, the story actually begins on the nearby Navy Island, which was the site of the 1983 "Rockin' the River" concert. This one-day event, organized by Schon Productions of Minneapolis, featured a lineup that read like a who's who of the alternative music scene at the time. R.E.M., Let's Active, and local favorites the Suburbs, Phones, and the Replacements all took the stage, captivating the audience with their unique sounds. Tickets were a mere in advance and at the gate, making it an accessible and unforgettable experience for music enthusiasts.

Riverfest: The Pinnacle of Harriet Island's Musical Legacy

The real showstopper, however, was the Riverfest, which ran from 1985 to 1990. This ambitious .6 million music festival, spearheaded by Tom Drilias of Milwaukee's Festivals Inc., transformed Harriet Island into a veritable musical playground. Over the course of 10 days, music lovers were treated to a dazzling array of acts, with seven stages showcasing the talents of Dan Fogelberg, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Temptations, Joan Baez, John Prine, Glenn Frey, Glen Campbell, REO Speedwagon, and Cheap Trick, among others. The inaugural year's ticket price of per day seems almost unbelievable in today's landscape, but it was a testament to the festival's commitment to accessibility.The second year of Riverfest saw an even more impressive lineup, with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jackson Browne, Van Morrison, Billy Ocean, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Kool & the Gang, and Mr. Mister gracing the stages. Advance tickets were a steal at for adults and for those under 12 or over 54. The festival's popularity continued to soar, with Whitney Houston taking the spotlight in 1987, performing on two sweltering nights. However, the following year saw a significant setback, as Riverfest lost 0,000 despite hosting superstars like Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Buffett, Steve Winwood, and Sting in front of 190,000 fans.In 1989, Minneapolis promoters Rose Productions took over, booking acts like Bob Dylan, Joan Jett, and Ringo Starr, but attendance dropped to 150,000. The 1990 edition proved to be the festival's swan song, as a canceled day due to muddy grounds, an ill-performing Sinéad O'Connor, and the withdrawal of Hall & Oates ultimately led to the festival's demise, as the numbers just didn't add up to continue.

New Kids on the Block: A Teenage Frenzy

While the Riverfest may have been the crown jewel of Harriet Island's musical history, the island also played host to other notable events. In 1990, as the Twins and the Red Sox faced off at the Metrodome, Boston's hottest music group, New Kids on the Block, turned to Harriet Island for a Fourth of July concert. More than 35,000 young fans flocked to downtown St. Paul to witness the teen idols in action, solidifying Harriet Island's status as a premier destination for music enthusiasts.

Lollapalooza: Bringing Alternative Music to the Masses

The Lollapalooza festival, which had been dismissed as "Weirdstock" in its early days, also found a home on Harriet Island in 1991, 1992, and 1994. The first year's lineup featured the farewell tour of Jane's Addiction, with support from Ice-T, Nine Inch Nails, Living Colour, and Siouxsie & the Banshees. Tickets were a reasonable in advance and .50 at the gate. The following year, Harriet Island played host to the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ice Cube, Ministry, and the up-and-coming Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, with the festival generating over 0,000 in ticket sales alone, making it the largest grossing show on the 36-city tour.In 1993, the festival was forced to move indoors to the St. Paul Civic Center due to flooding on Harriet Island, but it returned to the island in 1994, featuring a lineup that included Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, The Breeders, and George Clinton.

Taste of Minnesota: A Culinary and Musical Delight

Harriet Island's musical legacy continued with the relocation of the Taste of Minnesota festival in 2003. After two decades on the State Capitol grounds, the festival found a new home on the island, showcasing a diverse lineup that included the Wallflowers, Roger McGuinn, Maynard Ferguson, and the Temptations. For many years, Taste of Minnesota was a free-admission, multi-day festival, but in 2009, new owners took over, introducing admission fees ranging from to . This decision, coupled with a lineup that failed to draw large crowds, ultimately led to the festival's demise in 2010, as the owners declared bankruptcy after owing significant sums to the St. Paul police and the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

River Rocks Festival: A Promising but Short-Lived Endeavor

In 2007 and 2008, the River Rocks Festival, organized by St. Paul's McNally Smith College of Music, graced the shores of Harriet Island. The inaugural year showcased local Minnesota artists, while the second edition mixed in mid-tier national acts such as Jakob Dylan, The Roots, Semisonic, O.A.R., and Live. However, the modest approach proved to be the festival's downfall, as it failed to gain the necessary traction to become a sustainable event.

River's Edge: A Promising but Ill-Fated Attempt

The most recent music festival to call Harriet Island home was the River's Edge, organized by the world's largest promoter, Live Nation. In 2012, the company made a five-year commitment to St. Paul, bringing in top-name headliners like Dave Matthews Band and Tool for a two-day event. The splashy .8 million festival drew 45,000 attendees to witness 16 acts on four stages, complete with first-class audio and video setups. However, the festival ultimately lost around million, and Live Nation decided that River's Edge was not the regional draw it had anticipated, leading to the event's cancellation after just one year.