They’ll be singing the blues – in the best way – in Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park starting this evening.

And they’ll keep singing and playing them all weekend during the Marquette Area Blues Society’s 2013 Marquette Area Blues Fest.

This is the 10th year the society has organized the musical extravaganza that highlights the blues, a form of music born and raised in America.

In honor of that milestone anniversary, tonight’s performances will be free to attend. Featured will be Laura Rain and the Caesars from Detroit and The Gas House Gorillas from New York City.

Rain’s band includes Marquette native George Friend on guitar.

The awesome musical weekend continues Saturday and Sunday with blues greats taking to the stage to wow the crowd with some incredible performances. For the complete schedule, visit marquetteareabluessociety.com.

Organizers said tonight’s free show is a thank-you to the community for its support. We would, in turn, like to thank the Marquette Area Blues Society for bringing Blues Fest to life every year. We know there’s an incredible amount of work involved in making such a wonderful three-day event a reality and we salute those who work behind the scenes to create a weekend that’s always one to remember.

Get out tonight to listen to some fabulous music. The gates open at 5 p.m. and the music starts at 6.

Then buy tickets and attend the fest Saturday and Sunday as well. The blues will do your soul some good.

It’s a fantastic way to spend the Labor Day holiday weekend, listening to such talented folks performing a uniquely American form of art.