Large crowd enjoys first Menifee Music & Arts Festival

Headline act Thompson Square entertained a large crowd Saturday night at the Menifee Music & Arts Festival. Menifee 24/7 photos by Kristen Spoon

By Doug Spoon, Editor

A crowd estimated at 6,000 filled the parking lot at Mt. San Jacinto College Saturday to enjoy a variety of live music performances, food trucks and craft vendor booths, culminating in an enthusiastic reception for headline act Thompson Square in the first Menifee Music & Arts Festival.

Fans danced, sang along and cheered Thompson Square, a multi-Platinum selling and Grammy-nominated band based in Nashville. The husband and wife team of Keifer and Shawna Thompson, named Vocal Duo of the Year in both the ACM and CMA awards shows, interacted with the crowd and capped off the evening with their No. 1 hit, "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not".

Performers entertained on three stages throughout the afternoon and evening. Thompson Square was preceded to the main stage by local band Temecula Road. While entertaining the crowd as a warm-up for Thompson Square, band members of Temecula Road announced that they were moving to Nashville to begin the next level of their career.

Other bands performing on the main stage were Clapton Hook, Replay Band and Kanan Road. The local stage featured Menifee teenager Anahi Rodriguez, Menifee Jazz, the Chris Fast Band and Scottie Mac Band.

Meanwhile, local acts were entertaining fans on the performing arts stage. Those acts included performances by MSJC Dance, MSJC Choir, Folklorico Dance and Gypsy Jazz.

The event was co-sponsored by the City of Menifee and MSJC. Fans were admitted free, although they needed to register for a ticket so officials could monitor the crowd count. VIP seats were sold for $25 for fans who wanted seating near the stage.

"It was great to see families enjoying the art displays and the talented musical performances throughout the day," said Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman. "We appreciate the partnership between the college and our city’s Community Services team, who worked hard to make this inaugural festival a success. We hope to continue the event for years to come."

Be sure to watch "Good Morning Menifee" on the Menifee 24/7 Facebook page Monday morning for video highlights and an interview with Temecula Road.

Temecula Road entertained fans in their final performance before moving to Nashville.

Fans crowded in front of the main stage to hear Thompson Square, the final act of the evening.

Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman welcomed guests to the Menifee Music & Arts Festival.

Anahi Rodriguez sang the National Anthem and later performed on the local stage.

Clapton Hook, an Eric Clapton Tribute Band, was the opening act on the main stage on Saturday.

Mt. San Jacinto College, which co-sponsored the event, had an information area for guests.

Yo Yo Bento, which serves a variety of Asian dishes, was one of the food trucks.

Guests visited the many craft booths that were set up at the festival.