'River's Edge' festival to take over Harriet Island

An ambitious music festival is overtaking Harriet Island this weekend.

The inaugural "River's Edge Music Festival" features 24 bands on four stages. Headliners are The Dave Matthews Band and Tool. Live Nation, the world's largest concert promoter, is staging the festival.

Promoters expect about 30,000 people on each day of the two-day event. St. Paul Marketing Director Jake Spano says the festival will further solidify the city's image as a destination for big events.

"We had Fluktag here, we had the R & C convention here, this past winter we had the Red Bull Crashed Ice event up on Cathedral Hill which was a huge success," Spano said. "I think an event like this just sort cements in people's minds; St. Paul's a community that does big things and does them very well."

Live Nation has signed a five-year contract with the city to put on the festival.

"I think for us what the measure of success is, is Live Nation comes away from this feeling like St. Paul is a great destination; Harriet Island is a great location; the city is good to work with and the people support the event and we want to be back," Spano said. "If they say that, I think it's a success."