Seven-year-old Zachary Richardson spun around like an airplane in a brief bout of rain that hit Common Ground events Saturday.
"It's nothing ... no big deal," the Grand Ledge boy said while circling his 4-year-old sister Lauren.
He was right: Within a few minutes the sky cleared, people moved and the music kept on rocking.
The two were getting pumped for rock group Hootie and the Blowfish, the main attraction on the festival's second-to-last day, which drew about 12,000 people, organizers said.
Joe Cocker headlines tonight's final show.
"Lauren's waiting to see if Hootie is really a fish," their father, Matt, said while hiding from the rain under a tree.
"Hootie rocks," Dore Stevens of Sunfield said while walking toward the concert. "He's classic to me."
Koko Taylor and the Lash also performed. And the festival grounds were full of vibrant music from Tejano and Latino rock acts Megan, Mas Ambicion and Chac Mul Rock.
"It's always fun coming to Lansing," Tejano singer Megan said after her show as she autographed photos for fans.
A dozen boats floated on the Grand River between the stages. Some people fished, while others just sat back and relaxed.
Drew Edwards of Lansing sipped on a can of Coke while catching Hootie tunes from the river while sitting in his 12-foot canoe.
Armed with binoculars, Edwards yelled out, "Best seats in the house!"
In the children's area, hundreds of kids let their art skills shine on a 50-foot-long Monster Mural packed with different animals to paint.
"Some people have been back three or four times," organizer Karen Hanna said. "They grab a paint brush and they go."
Sierra Diaz, 7, was trying to mix the perfect color in the paint-filled cupcake pans.
"It's wonderful because the kids get to paint anything they want," she said while holding a brush dripping with purple paint.
Next to them, 7-year-old Caiden Gombosi was busy building a sand volcano in an extra-large sandbox.
He was loving his work area, too.
"You get a lot more places to make stuff, " he said.
Cicely deVries, 9, danced in line with her mother while waiting for their free ride on the 72-foot Ferris wheel.
It was their first stop of the night.
"I love the Ferris wheel," Cicely said. "Even though I'm afraid of heights, I still love it."
Contact Tracy Burton at 377-1206 or tburton@lsj.com.