LORRIE HAYES OF the Flat Broke Blues Band belts out her strong vocals at last year’s End of Summer Blues Fest. The Flat Broke Blues Band will open this year’s entertainment at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Alpha in Iron County.

ALPHA — Blues music takes over the village of Alpha on Saturday.

Six talented groups will take stage at the sixth annual End of Summer Blues Fest.

The musical line-up includes: Flat Broke Blues Band,12:30 p.m.; Hart-Harp and Bones, 2 p.m.; Jake and the Fireside Band, 3:30 p.m.; Carolyn Jo and Company, 5 p.m.; and Eddie and the Bluesers, 7 p.m.

Gates to the pavilion behind the Village Hall open at 11 a.m.

New to event is an after-party. Not new to the party, however, are The Sons of Legend, said event coordinator, Bob Black of Bob Black Promotions.

“They have headlined the last two festivals and this year wanted to relax, have fun and jam for an after party,” Black said.

The Flat Broke Blues Band of the Marquette area will return to Alpha to get the crowd going.

They play a guitar-driven mix of classic blues, rhythm and blues, swing and good old rock ‘n’ roll. Band members include Jim Cohen, drums; Lorrie Hayes, vocals and harp; Mark Johnson, bass and vocals; Mike Letts, guitar and vocals; and Walt Lindala, guitar and vocals.

“I selected Flat Broke to open to draw a crowd early,” Black said. “They are very talented and have headlined many festivals for well over a decade.”

Hart-Harp and Bones is a three-piece band that performs great old-time blues music in the real Mississippi Delta style.

Jake and the Fireside Band is the only group that has played at all six Alpha festivals. This award-winning group has a “sweet home” Chicago sound, playing blues, soul and rock classic tunes.

Carolyn Jo and Company, who opened last year, will belt out classic blues favorites from ’60s through ’80s. Carolyn Jo is from Florence, Wis., with the rest of the band hailing from the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin.

“They are a must-see,” says Black.

Eddie and the Bluesers of Marquette will headline the full day of entertainment.

Members include Edwin “Fast Eddie” Consolmagno, slide guitar, lead vocals and harmonica; Bill Houghton, drums, vocals and harmonica; Rick Bissonnette, electric bass, uke bass and vocals; and Mark Werda, guitar, vocals and harmonica.

“They headlined in 2014 and plan to rock Alpha like never before with their classic blues and rock favorites,” Black said.

The after party with the Sons of Legend follows the conclusion of the fest.

Also part of the event is the Veterans Freedom Ride and Memorial Poker Run. This will begin with the Blessing of the Bikes and Bikers at 11 a.m., followed by the ride led by Iron County Sheriff Mark Valesano, followed by the American Legion Riders and color guard and other motorcycle and cars.

Motorcycles and cars will travel through Iron County and visit the veterans memorials.

“I have arranged guest speakers to talk about each of these important veterans memorials,” Black said. “I also have Dale Safford, known as ‘the cemetery lady,’ talking about the Stambaugh Cemetery, as well as another knowledgeable speaker at Resthaven Cemetery.”

The ride is free and open to all who want to participate. The procession will conclude back at the Alpha circle at 12:30 p.m. Prizes then will be drawn for those in the ride.

Once again they will have their “Blues Berry” pie-eating contest at 4 p.m. It has two separate divisions – 12 and younger, and 13 and older.

“This is always a fun part of the day,” Black said.

The American Legion Post 21 will work the beverage tent. Proceeds go directly to the American Legion Riders. Carry-ins are not permitted.

Food vendors will offer barbecue, hot dogs, nachos, snacks and more.

There also will be face painting, as well as several vendors selling crafts and novelties on the grounds.

“This is a family-fun event,” Black said. “There is something for all ages.”

The Crystal Falls Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct 50-50 drawings throughout the afternoon.

The Blues Fest has raised almost $30,000 for area non-profit groups. “We are really proud of that,” Black said. “It’s not only providing great entertainment but doing good things for the community.”

Admission is $10 for adults in advance and $15 at the gate. Children younger than 12 accompanied by an adult are admitted free. Advance tickets can be purchased at Crystal Lumber Co. and First National Bank and Trust of Iron River.

Attendees are reminded to bring a bag chair. The fest will take place rain or shine.