Mixtape Festival Brings the Ultimate Throwback to Hersheypark Stadium

On Saturday, Aug. 6, Hersheypark Stadium hosted their annual Mixtape Festival, held every year since 2012, excluding the year 2014. When the festival first began, it had a variety of different artists, but the main premise of the festival is featuring artists from the 1990s or early 2000s who  would be most likely found on a ‘mixtape.’ When the festival first began, it did not so much abide by this rule, but as of 2015 and 2016, the artists were all sure-fire for this category.

The line-up for this year was at the top of its game, picking artists most known for their songs from the early 2000s  such as Ryan Cabrera and the girl group Dream. There was also a slew of late 80s and early 90s boy bands, including New Kids on the Block (who have yet to miss a festival), Boyz II Men, and 98 Degrees. Early 2000s boy band O-Town also performed. Paula Abdul also performed a full set for the first time in almost 25 years at a festival.

A crowd of 16,000+ people attended to see these acts, with the main stage having an extended square catwalk to give the artists the chance to get closer to fans. Since the event went from 4 p.m. to well into 11 in the evening, food vendors set up stalls to appease hungry fans .

While the Mixtape Festival is a one-day event, several of the acts, including Ryan Cabrera, Dream, O-Town, and 98 Degrees, are continuing the “My 2K Tour” until Aug. 29. So there is still an opportunity to see a throwback show for fans that were unable to attend the Mixtape Festival.

Here’s to seeing what next year’s line-up has in store!