It may be frigid outside, but the city's Salute to America festival is already planning for a hot summer: They've struck a deal with the state to hold more concerts at the old Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP).
Last year, the state's Office of Administration (OA) approved a first-ever concert to be held on the grounds over the Fourth of July. A crowd of nearly 2,500 people attended the "Inside the Walls" Outlaw Country Concert featuring Travis Tritt.
Mayor Carrie Tergin said Sunday OA has given organizers of the city's Fourth of July festival permission to hold concerts at the former prison over the Fourth holiday weekend in 2017. No money changes hands in the contract, which also gives the city the option to renew the terms of the agreement in 2018, as well.
Next year's "Inside the Walls" prison concert will take place July 1, the Saturday before the Fourth of July.
"It's just really awesome," Tergin said. She added signing the contract was one of her proudest moments as mayor so far - not just because Salute/city organizers are succeeding at making the concert an annual event, but because it's tapping into the future potential of MSP.
"This is a great way to wrap up this year, because when you look at the prison, there's a lot of momentum in the building. We're really starting to see things grow and blossom at MSP."
Last week, the Convention and Visitors Bureau announced tours at MSP jumped 25 percent this year to nearly 33,000 visitors. That's 10 times the number of people who toured the prison in 2009.
Tergin is a current member and past chairwoman of the Salute to America Foundation board.
Although the band lineup hasn't been determined yet, Tergin said she believes the "Outlaw Country" theme will continue since it's a perfect prison theme.
Last year, nearly 2,500 people attended the concert in the rain. Two of the four bands canceled their performances, but headliner Tritt performed.
The event also featured a sold-out dinner provided by Prison Brews. The historic A Hall was the setting for the prison-style meal, served on prison plates with an attitude.
Tergin said OA has again permitted Salute organizers to hold the prison meal, and they hope to do so.
The mayor said she's thankful to the state for supporting the city's economic/tourism efforts at MSP.
"I really look forward to working with Gov. (Eric) Greitens and his team, because I think the possibilities are endless."