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What began as a humble grassroots gathering with a borrowed wedding tent and a makeshift stage has, 13 years later, evolved into one of the region's most quietly influential Christian music festivals.
Off The Charts Music Festival returns to Cavalier, North Dakota, this weekend, offering two days of high-calibre performances, community celebration and spiritual renewal, all entirely free.
Set in the tree-lined City Park just 90 minutes south of Winnipeg, this year’s lineup features some of the most compelling names in Christian music today. Jordan St. Cyr, the Manitoba-born worship artist now making waves in the U.S., returns close to home to headline alongside rising star Riley Clemmons, indie newcomers The Band Jaren, and Irish worship collective Rend Collective.
For organizers, the event is more than just music.
"By God’s grace, man," said Kyle Gagner, when asked how a free festival has stayed afloat for 13 years, when paid festivals have trouble continuing. "We’re just incredibly blessed to have so many people supporting this event and everything we’ve got going on. It’s been remarkable to watch it grow."
Gagner remembers their earliest setup, which consisted of "an old farm cultivator as a stage," and laughs at how far things have come. "We thought we were Woodstock."
That grassroots authenticity remains central to the festival’s DNA. Even as big-name acts grace the main stage, the weekend maintains its community feel. Families spread out on picnic blankets, kids enjoy inflatable games, and admission remains completely free.
This year’s lineup brings a particularly special moment. St. Cyr and Clemmons, who recently collaborated on a single, are expected to perform their song live together for the first time. “They're actually gonna be singing their song, a little teaser together on stage, which will be cool,” Gagner said.
The main festival kicks off Saturday, August 16, with games and family activities from 2 to 6 p.m. Main stage performances begin at 4 p.m. Weather is expected to be ideal with a high of 75°F currently forecasted (or about 22°C for Canadian guests).
On Sunday, the celebration continues with a 10 a.m. worship service in the park, led by Minneapolis worship leader Hunter Fraser and a guest speaker. Coffee and doughnuts will be served, free of charge.
For Canadian guests considering the trip, Cavalier is about a 90-minute drive from Winnipeg’s south end. "You can almost feel the magnetic pull to the border," Gagner joked. "Just don’t forget your passport."
Full details are available at offthechartsnd.com.