'Inside the Walls' goes on in the rain

Festivities continue today; check online for possible weather cancellations

A capacity crowd filling the old Missouri State Penitentiary yard cheers as country music outlaw legend Travis Tritt soaks up the spotlight Saturday, July 2, 2016 after performing one of his numerous hits during the Salute to America "Concert Inside the Walls."
A capacity crowd filling the old Missouri State Penitentiary yard cheers as country music outlaw legend Travis Tritt soaks up the spotlight Saturday, July 2, 2016 after performing one of his numerous hits during the Salute to America "Concert Inside the Walls."

Despite the rain, organizers were still pleased with how things went at the Inside the Walls Outlaw Country Concert Saturday night at the Missouri State Penitentiary.

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AP

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"We knew there was going to be rain, and the stage crew did everything they could to prepare. But two bands did have to cancel their shows, which were to start at 5 p.m.," said Katherine Reed, Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau communications manager.

The gates opened at the prison at 4 p.m., which allowed those who did arrive early to come in and enjoy a variety of drinks and food offerings in the prison courtyard in front of the main stage.

Hillbilly Vegas performed prior to the feature performer, Travis Tritt.

Tritt posted Saturday night to his Twitter account: "We thoroughly enjoyed playing behind the historic Missouri State Prison walls tonight. Thank you all!!!!" 

"We were pleased to see that people came prepared for the weather and were here to have a good time no matter what," Reed said.

Reed said they did not sell out the concert, but she estimated the crowd at around 2,500 people. She said they did sell out a dinner held in A Hall prior to the concert.

The concert was the main offering of the first day of the annual Salute to America Festival, and organizers believe an event like this will happen again.

"We're piggy backing off the success we've had with the prison tours," Reed said. "The state and the city see what a valuable resource we have here. Getting people the chance to see such a piece of history is great. It also shows with the large space we have, it's the ideal location for events like this. We've got the right people in place to do events like this in the future."

With rain in the forecast for much of today as well and at least part of the day Monday, festival organizers continue to ask residents to check salutetoamerica.org and the Salute to America Facebook page for updates on events.

There is also a free mobile app through Palaroo, which can give residents push notifications updating at real time information on any weather cancelations.