Alan Jesperson Laughing Waters Bluegrass Fund

Hello music fans, the Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival will continue on Labor Day, September 1, 2025!

We appreciate our repeat donors and want to bring new people into the mix.

The lineup will be posted on Facebook

Minnehaha Falls Park

Labor Day, September 1, 2025

Music goes from 1:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The annual event relies on donations from individuals and our sponsors. We hope you can participate and spread the word!

Food and beverages will be available from fantastic food trucks.

Since 2022, Alan Jesperson's friends and family continue to put on the festival to honor his legacy. He loved to share his joy of Bluegrass with the community.

Janine Kemmer, Matt Johnson and Phaedra Johnson are the organizers.

The cost to run the festival in recent years ranged from $12,000 - $15,000.

2024 GoFundMe raised: $1,615

2023 GoFundMe raised: $335 (low attendance due to heat wave)

2022 GoFundMe raised: $2,968

Starting in 1999, Alan organized the Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival on Labor Day. Year after year, thousands of Bluegrass fans enjoyed a mix of local and national bands at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis. Always ready to make his pitch for the event, Alan raised funds to pay the bands and cover expenses each year.

We are so grateful for all the local business support of the festival over the years, the generous donations of time and money from Alan's friends, for the bands, and for the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board for maintaining the beautiful venue.