SEPT. 10, 2011 -- Festival-goers will find countless ways to celebrate life on the Mississippi River on

In the eco-village, visitors will find Earth-friendly products and services, conservation exhibits and nature craft vendors. During the afternoon, families will enjoy an abundance of hands-on activities, such as solar experiments, eco-crafts, Japanese fish printing, EarthBall Games, launching biodegradable water balloons, wildlife from the Riverside Reptile Ranch, and take-home gardening activities. A three-sided climbing wall will challenge little explorers.

Over 40 exhibitors will be set up at Alton’s beautiful Riverfront Amphitheater, including informational displays on electric and hybrid vehicles, composting methods, the new Audubon Center in West Alton, energy-efficient home improvement products, and how you can get involved with monitoring the water quality of your local streams. Guests can even bring items to be recycled, including black plant pots, cell phones, shoes, eyeglasses and more.

Feeling creative? Check out the river photography exhibit and a plein air painting competition, as well as the 8-foot mural of a river scene for kids of all ages to color. Also, the main stage will feature performers all day, including Jake's Leg, River Ramblers, Casey Reeves and Brian "Fox" Ellis.

For more information, visit the event website.

Photos courtesy of Mississippi Earthtones Festival.

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