The stage for the 16th annual Marquette Area Blues Fest is pictured Friday morning at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in Marquette. The fest will kick off tonight with a free concert. Gates open at 5 p.m. with music by Eliza Neals beginning at 6 p.m, followed by the Jimmys at 8 p.m. The Blues Fest, which runs through Sunday features three days of world class blues on the shores of Lake Superior, featuring food vendors, a beer and wine tent, free workshops, a large dance floor and assorted arts and crafts booths.Gates open at noon on Saturday and Sunday. Advance tickets are $50 for the weekend and are available through Northern Michigan University tickets online at nmu.universitytickets.com and via phone at 906-227-1032. There are $10 daily student tickets for those 15-23 available daily at the gate. Children 14 and under are free with paid adult. The festival will take place rain or shine. For more ticket, lodging, and general information, check out the website at www.marquetteareabluessociety.com. (Journal photo by Cecilia Brown)