Every year, something special happens at HarmonyFest.
Several thousand people are expected to visit downtown Three Rivers starting at 1 p.m. Sunday and into the evening. This year marks the 31st HarmonyFest, continuing the tradition of a free admission Labor Day weekend event with music, family fun, food, and friendship.
“People come downtown, maybe ones who don’t come down as often, and they’ll see someone they haven’t seen in a while. They’ll end up sharing good memories,” Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Vice Chair Charlie Wolgamood said.
HarmonyFest guests will also get to experience any of seven bands performing Sunday. The schedule includes:
1 p.m.: Spork Fight
2 p.m.: Faux Beamage
3:15 p.m.: Jesse Ray and The Carolina Catfish
4:30 p.m.: Kalamazoo Pipe Band
5:15 p.m.: The Kennedy Affair
7 p.m.: Cabildo
8:30 p.m.: Desmond Jones
“We’ve got the stage set up on the street, on Main Street, which is always a fun time,” Wolgamood said. “Especially in the evening, when the bass is bouncing off the buildings. There’s just no sound like it.”
Some of Sunday’s bands are HarmonyFest newcomers. Others are returning favorites. All are ready for Sunday, as Watershed Voice learned when it contacted each group.
Spork Fight is a four-member cover band from Southwest Michigan. Their setlist includes a wide variety of hits, from the ‘80s through the ‘10s, and anything before and after.
“We’re a fun band that wants to make you dance,” Spork Fight stated. “We are excited to kick off this year’s HarmonyFest.”
Faux Beamage’s story is tied to HarmonyFest, one musician explained.
“We played HarmonyFest in 2018 when we were first starting out with our first band, Fridge Music,” Sam Riley said. “It’s an honor to play this year, now that we’ve grown and evolved as a group. We’re really excited to showcase the nasty funk we’ve been cookin’ up in a hot, sweaty upstairs bedroom turned studio.”
Jesse Ray and The Carolina Catfish, founded in Grand Rapids, is a newcomer to HarmonyFest. The band includes singer-songwriter Jesse Ray Cahue and drummer-percussionist Paul L. Jensen. Since Cahue founded Jesse Ray and The Carolina Catfish in 2013, they’ve become award-winning and recognized for being hyper-energetic in the name of rockin’ roots ‘n’ blues music.
“We are honored to be playing in Three Rivers this weekend at HarmonyFest for the first time,” Cahue said. “We can’t wait to bring our version of rock ‘n’ roll to all in attendance!”
The Kalamazoo Pipe Band has a long history with Three Rivers, band member Peter Butts said. They’ve performed in everything from the full festival to the COVID-friendly back-alley concert held in 2020.
“We’ve drawn many drummers from the area, including Keith Clark, Dave Montcalm, and John and Jane Barnes,” Butts said. “More recently, I’ve joined the staff at the Three Rivers Public Library as the children’s librarian.”
Matt Kennedy, lead guitarist for The Kennedy Affair, said he and his bandmates are excited for their second HarmonyFest performance.
“We hope to see the streets filled with people dancing and having tons of fun,” Kennedy said.
Another second time around act is the eight-member Cabildo, a West Michigan-based Latin alternative music collective. Musician Josh Dunnigan said the group is ready to have some great food and make music on the streets of Three Rivers.
Sunday’s music will conclude with Desmond Jones, making their HarmonyFest debut. The award-winning five-piece band loves traveling to new cities in their home state of Michigan.
“For our music, think Zappa meets ‘Weird Al’ in the middle of a type 2 jam and has a Ween baby,” Desmond Jones stated. “Our 900 shows in 12 years have made us tighter than ever. Every set is a unique and fresh surprise for both longtime fans and new listeners. Get ready to dance, laugh, and possibly cringe.”
Having a variety of music helps attract and keep an audience, according to HarmonyFest organizers.
“We like providing that diversity, allowing people to hear what they might not otherwise be exposed to,” Wolgamood said.
In addition to Sunday’s concerts, HarmonyFest will also include the Kids Zone from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Portage Avenue. Guests can enjoy free activities like fun and games, face painting, receiving twisted balloon creations, and magic.
Six food trucks and three restaurants will be open during HarmonyFest. The public is reminded to bring their own chairs and that alcoholic beverages may only be purchased for consumption from either the Main Street Café, Riviera Theatre & Bar, or Useless Creatures Brewing Co. Absolutely no outside alcohol is allowed.
HarmonyFest is possible thanks to donations. Organizers and volunteers are proud that they can offer an event where people can sit back and have a little fun.
“It’s welcoming to all, and a good way to have fun and enjoy yourself,” Wolgamood said.
Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
