NORWICH – Thousands are expected to flock to the Chenango County fairgrounds this weekend as the 21st annual Manpower Chenango Blues Fest gets underway tonight following another successful free summer concert series and second annual Summer Jam.

The blues begin at 6 p.m tonight at the Frontier Communications tent with Pinecone Fletcher – known for his “hobo blues” – and will be followed by blues-rock guitarist Tinsley Ellis, who is set to hit the stage at 7:15 p.m. Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers bring their “rocked-up zydeco” at 9 p.m., rounding out the evening of free performances.

Gates will open at 11 a.m. Saturday and this year’s event includes performances by Chris O’Leary, the California Honeydrops, the Larry McCray Band, the new “Queen of the Blues” Shemekia Copeland and the Royal Southern Brotherhood, all on the Sheffield Bio-Science Infield main stage.

The performers slated to occupy the Nelson and Flanagan-Grouse Ridge Kennels tent stage include Tas Cru – who performed at the Blues Fest in 2011 –, multi-instrumentalist and singer Valerie June, “one-man-band” Ben Prestage, and the New Orleans-based Honey Island Swamp Band.

Said Chenango Blues Association President Eric Larsen, “The lineup is full of great talent and the weather forecast is terrific.”

Attendance at the Blues Fest has continued to break records for the past three years, and this year’s turnout is expected to be just as great.

“It should be the social event of the season,” added Larsen.