Stars of the North Music Festival draws nice crowds

Sunday morning the culmination of the Stars of the North Music Festival was a gospel hour that was followed by a drawing for the top three prizes and a happy birthday singing for Buddy Skinner, who turned 60. Performing on stage were, L-R: Erik Hahn, Mike Roth, Gordon Thorne, Carah Thomas and Chris Gillis. Staff photo/Brian Larsen

For three days last weekend (July 27-29) the Grand Marais Harbor Park was filled with a wide variety of family fun music.

In its second year, the Stars of the North Music Festival is growing in popularity. It is organized and hosted by the Grand Marais Music Collaborative.

Bands and solo troubadours played everything from pulsating rock to hot jazz, cool blues, and gospel music.

While the concert is free and a showcase for local and regional talent, the real aim is to raise funds for scholarships for area kids who couldn’t otherwise afford music lessons. Money is earned from the sale of shirts, beer sold from the beer garden and raffle tickets from prizes donated by individuals and businesses. While the musicians playing on stage were paid, the rest of the people selling raffle tickets, T-shirts and who help to set up and clean up were volunteers.

Sunday brought the “Rockin Gospel Hour” in the morning that finished around noon after fantastic performances from area musicians and area youth.

“The net result is that we netted after all these expenses approximately $2,500,” said event organizer Todd Miller. “Going forward the GMMC will be seeking grants to help with next year’s expenses so that more funds can be available for the music program. The GMMC would like to extend their thanks to the Grand Marais Lions Club, the City of Grand Marais, Grandma Ray’s, Bob LaMettry, the Putnam family, the GMMC board of directors, and the many local businesses that provided all the raffle prizes.”