Burlington Memorial Auditorium
Burlington, Iowa's Memorial Auditorium, located at the foot of Jefferson Street on the Mississippi River, was opened to the puvlic in May of 1939. Built by the Works Project Administration and first used as a U.S. Naval Reserve Training Center, and by the supply company of the 136th Medical Regiment of the Iowa National Guard.
The Burlington Auditorium Corporation, a non profit body, was formed in 1939. Their duties included sponsoring attractions, seeing that the building was used, and to govern all events in the Arena. In Memorial Auditorium's main arena you can watch a concert, Broadway show, circus, bull riding, have general meetings, wrestling matches, craft shows, trade shows, conventions or an event never thought of before. We will work with you to make it happen.
If banquet facilities are needed, 500 people can dine comfortably while still having an unobstructed view of any presentation that's being given. Parking is no problem at Memorial Auditorium. There are 1000 public parking places within easy walking distance. There are nearly 650 motel rooms available in Burlington to handle all your lodging needs.
Since 1963, Burlington Steamboat Days has played host to some of the finest entertainers in the U.S. The event has grown from a two day, weekend event into a six-day festival featuring a wide variety of big name musical entertainment. The festival also offers special events for area senior citizens, youth and disabled individuals, golfers, and visual artists as well. Burlington Steamboat Days sponsors daily activities on the grounds - some examples: a parade, talent show, fireworks extravaganza, and the Annual Dan Bied Jazz Fest during the week of the event. In short, Burlington Steamboat Days is the most prominent annual festival in Burlington and the surrounding area. Burlington Steamboat Days has been entertaining a widely diverse audience in the Greater Burlington community for the last 49 years.
We will be celebrating our 50th year in 2012! The festival has changed a great deal over the last few decades, with Dixieland Jazz as it's roots, but still remains a favorite to many different age groups. Big entertainers have come through the grounds of Burlington Steamboat Days. We have seen entertainers such as Louie Armstrong in 1964 (our first big entertainer on stage) and Buck Owen in 1966 rocking the early days. We broke a record for the world's longest conga line with Miami Sound Machine in 1986, we did "The Twist" with Chubby Checker in 1990, "Riding the Storm Out" with REO Speedwagon in 1993 and singing "Daydream Believer" while the Monkees rock the stage.
There are two stages on the concert grounds; the South Stage presents local bands and has two performances every evening, except Sunday night which has an early performance only. There is also an Outdoor Main Stage located on the north end of the grounds where a national headliner is presented. Recent acts within the last few years include Poison, Sugarland, ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum and many, many others! We also have a carnival midway with over 25 rides presented and many carnival games you can step up and play.
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