The Rhythm and Roots Festival in Charlestown, R.I., closed out its 25th-anniversary edition with a rousing Sunday finale that included a stellar headline performance from Greensky Bluegrass, exceptional undercard appearances by the Robert Cray Band, and The Infamous Stringdusters. 

Following Saturday night’s sold-out celebration led by impressive outings from JJ Grey & Mofro and the top-billed Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Sunday’s climax was equally as special. Enjoying weather conditions nothing short of perfect, beginning with Friday’s opening kick-off helmed by Dustbowl Revival and header, Dumpstaphunk, the popular fest acknowledged the humble origins–established a quarter-century ago–of an event centered around Cajun, bluegrass, and Americana roots music, throughout its three days and nights of camping, dancing, and themed cuisine.

With three stages, including one featuring a full dance floor (and many dancers traveling great distances to attend), the trio of full-house crowds on the immaculate park grounds slid between performances from festival stalwarts such as Donna the Buffalo, and Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys, and dazzling outings from newcomers Shinyribs. 

Midway through their closing set, Greensky Bluegrass nodded to their Ocean State hosts, admitting to limited experience in Rhode Island, then launched into a quasi-tribute to “all the states” with “200 Miles from Montana.” True to form, the quintet threaded a vast selection of covers into their repertoire, with a standout, jam-heavy take on “Ain’t No Bread in the Breadbox” among the many highlights.

As the festival’s organizers have transitioned–with the founding Wentworth family handing off to GoodWorks Entertainment–so too has this annual Labor Day weekend celebration, with such an array of artists and performances, become a preeminent, highly anticipated event of the festival season.