Day 8, the final day of the 2023 Duluth Homegrown Music Festival, started at 1:30pm, late enough that even those who'd stayed up polka-ing and drinking with Winzige Hosen at the Rex Bar till the bitter end the previous night could sleep in and still join in for the last day's more chill festivities.
Bark Point, Born too Late, and Ann Kathryn Band were the final performers at Canal Park Brewing. Weather-wise, it was yet another dreary Duluth spring day, which made for a little more of a crush indoors since no one wanted to drink their bloody marys out on the patio.
Red-jacketed Homegrown committee members gathered around a table to take a much-needed break and swap stories from the previous hectic week.
This year, the festival ended on founder Starfire's actual birthday, the impetus for the whole celebration that sparked the festival 25 years ago. He entered midway through, carrying his own birthday cake. He shared his appreciation for the organizers in a Facebook post that referenced this year's Robot Rickshaw performance art spectacle that we suspect will be talked about for years to come:
"Who knew that a 30th birthday party could turn into a 1/4 century of magical moments culminating in sourdough starter being poured in my hands at a retired cathedral on the hill. Well, it’s all true. Thanks to all that wrangle this mess into existence every year and thanks to this amazing community that support it in all the ways. Keep it weird Duluth and Happy Homegrown! 🐔"
Coverage of the 2023 Duluth Homegrown Music Festival on the North 103.3 is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
