More than 60 MPF Member-Volunteers rocked out at two riverfront festivals this summer. Both events were presented by First Avenue and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the work MPF is doing in support of Minneapolis parks. Thank you, volunteers, and thank you, First Ave.!
Wilco headlined the first concert, August 20 at Hall’s Island on the Minneapolis Riverfront, in an event that even light rain couldn’t dampen. About 30 MPF volunteers showed up to make the event “zero waste” by helping concert-goers better understand what-goes-where, garbage- and recycling-wise. Volunteer teams also helped out at beer stations.
Festival Palomino followed a month later and MPF volunteers rose to the occasion, again, and this time on short notice: The 17-band, three-stage music fest was originally planned for Canterbury Park, but was “rained out” thanks to flooding from summer storms. Event producers made a quick switcheroo to Hall’s Island, and MPF stepped up with about 30 volunteers to help with beer stations.
Hall’s Island is a RiverFirst project. The Minneapolis Park Board purchased the former lumber yard site in Northeast Minneapolis 2010 because of its Upper Mississippi Riverfront location, with plans to turn it into a destination park featuring the restored Hall’s Island and a protected channel and beach. Its outstanding views of Downtown Minneapolis and central location make it a great concert destination, while the recently completed East Bank Trail will take you from Sheridan Park to Boom Island and beyond.
MPF’s concert volunteers received free admission and food and beverage tickets, plus t-shirts and other swag. We’ll update this post with info about First Avenue’s gift when it becomes available.
MPF doesn’t have a large volunteer program, but it’s mostly event-driven and definitely fun. If you’re interested in getting in on these events and other volunteer opportunities, please contact our team at give@mplsparksfoundation.org.