From Sam Meyers to Kenny Neal, Luther Allison to Rod Piazza, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, James Cotton, Little Charlie & the Nightcats and so many more, the Chenango Blues Association has been bringing the best in blues and blues-flavored music to the Chenango County Fairgrounds for two decades now, as it prepares to host the 20th annual Chenango Blues Fest, kicking things off at noon on Saturday.

Headlining this year’s festival – and returning to Chenango County for a second straight year – will be acclaimed singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist J.J. Grey, joined by Mofro, the culmination of a full day’s worth of performances that will also include main stage acts Voice of the Wetlands All-stars (co-headliners), Duke Robillard, Davina & the Vagabonds and James Armstrong.

As if that weren’t enough for any blues fanatic, Saturday’s festival will also include tent stage performances by Tom Townsley and Seth Rochford, Samuel James, Ann Rabson and Bill “Sauce Boss” Wharton.

It’s a full helping of the blues, one that long-time attendees – as well as those who’ve never been to Blues Fest – should enjoy, said Chenango Blues Association President Eric Larsen.

“Twenty years and counting,” laughed Larsen, regarding the 20-year anniversary of the popular event. “I don’t think we ever expected it to get this far. Year one, we said ‘if we can get 300 to come, we’ll try it again,’ and we just kept putting one foot in front of the other.”