GRAND RAPIDS — Despite a downpour during Jeremie Albino's set, the 5th annual Grand Rapids Riverfest went off without a hitch.
Capturing a strong sense of community at an event on the scale of Grand Rapids Riverfest isn't easy, but when it works, it's magic. From the business supporters, vendors, collaborators and attendees, to the setting and incredible music, the festival was once again an intimate celebration in northern Minnesota.
Following the rain, a perfect full double rainbow appeared in the sky, and nearly in unison, the "oohing" and "aahing" as audience members pulled out their phones. The skies were once again bright when a full moon rose to complement Courtney Barnett's ripping headliner set. Northern Minnesota, now you're just showing off.
The day began with a wild ride of a set from Alan Sparhawk, who was joined by Eric Pollard (Actual Wolf), Cyrus Sparhawk and Dave Carroll (Trampled by Turtles). Jeremie Albino hopped up next with his incredible band, providing endless energy and charisma to get us through the rain.
Margo Price, along with an all-star band, debuted songs from her brand new album, Hard Headed Woman. She covered many fan favorites from her catalogue and ended her set by throwing roses out to the crowd. Courtney Barnett played all the hits alongside her bandmates Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint) and Bones Sloane — a trio that wowed the crowd, leading them to walk out of the venue with melted faces. Whoever says rock and roll is dead has clearly not seen Courtney Barnett perform.
Music
"Hard Headed Woman" by Margo Price is KAXE's Album of the Week for Sept. 1-7, 2025.
Photographers Lorie Shaull and Jordan Weis (Weisguy Images) captured the heart of Riverfest: the music, the crowd and the atmosphere that made it unforgettable.
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Audience members are enjoying a set during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Kayla Helm of the Twistin Vixens hula hoops to the music during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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An aerial view of Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Grand Rapids Riverfest volunteer Michelle Bedford skateboards through the festival grounds on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Alan Sparhawk of Low performs an out-of-this-world set during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Attendees, young and old, donned hearing protection during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Cyrus Sparhawk performs on the bass during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Alan Sparhawk performs the first set of Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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An audience member applauds Alan Sparhawk during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Eric Pollard drums during Alan Sparhawk's set during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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A couple exchanges a kiss during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Alan Sparhawk feels the groove during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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KAXE Reporter Megan Buffington works the merch booth during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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An audience member applauds Alan Sparhawk during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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An audience member captures part of Jeremie Albino's set during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Kayla Helm of Twistin Vixens hula hoops to the music during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Jeremie Albino performs during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Jeremie Albino taps to the beat in his cowboy boots during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Audience members of all ages groove during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Jeremie Albino's drummer feels the beat during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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A double rainbow emerges during Jeremie Albino's set at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Jeremie Albino sings during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Aerial views of the audience during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Audience members of all ages gather for Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Jeremie Albino's bass player brings the groove during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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A double rainbow over Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Chris Walker / KAXE
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A view over the vendor area during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Attendees dance during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Audience members cheer Jeremie Albino while a double rainbow emerges over Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Jeremie Albino sings during his set at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Volunteer Michelle Bedford celebrates the rainbow during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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KAXE Producer Jennifer Barr interacts with Grand Rapids Riverfest attendees at the merch tent on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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KAXE Phenologist John Latimer, left, and Green Cheese regular Simon of the Lakes, right, are among those gathered despite the various weather conditions at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Shanai Matteson and Geezis lead participants in creating artwork at the Fire in the Village art booth during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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A rainbow emerges behind a Grand Rapids Riverfest banner on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Grand Rapids Riverfest security volunteer Kayla throws up the horns on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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KAXE Music Director Kari Hedlund greets the crowd during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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A rainbow emerges around the vendor area during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Margo Price's guitarist wields a beautiful Gibson acoustic during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Volunteer Jean Bignall, left, shows off a screen print she made at the Fire in the Village tent with and Gus Herzigg during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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KAXE Director of Content and Public Affairs Heidi Holtan interacts with attendees at the Grand Rapids Riverfest merch tent on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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A rainbow emerges over Grand Rapids Riverfest during Jeremie Albino's set on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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The KAXE donation minnow bucket sits at the raffle booth during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Margo Price wows the crowd during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Audience members watch Margo Price perform during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Margo Price's reflection in a rain puddle from Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Attendees warm up around fire rings during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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A closeup of Margo Price's sandals while she performs at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Audience members cheer for Margo Price during Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Margo Price speaks to the crowd during her set at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Young Grand Rapids Riverfest fan Suzie Walker holds her rose from Margo Price, who tossed them out at the end of her set Sept. 6, 2025.
Kari Hedlund / KAXE
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The moon shines brightly over the vendor area at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Courtney Barnett and her band perform the headlining set at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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Stella Mozgawa of Warpaint drums as part of Courtney Barnett's headlining set at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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A member of the Twistin Vixens performs with a lighted hula hoop at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Courtney Barnett performs under the lights at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Bass player Bones Sloane is part of Courtney Barnett's band at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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A closeup of Courtney Barnett's boots as she rocks Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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An overhead view shows the crowd and stage of Grand Rapids Riverfest at night under the lights on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Bass player Bones Sloane performs with Courtney Barnett at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Courtney Barnett performs her headlining set at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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An overhead view of Grand Rapids Riverfest at night under the lights on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
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Courtney Barnett performs at Grand Rapids Riverfest on Sept. 6, 2025.
Contributed / Jordan Weis | Weisguy Images LLC
