HARMAR TWP, Allegheny County - The annual Pittsburgh Blues Festival at the Hartwood Acres amphitheater on Middle Road will take place today through Sunday.

Approximately 5,000 people attended last year's event.

Sixteen bands are expected to play, including Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, and Edgar Winter today; Studebaker John and the Hawks, Duwayne Burnside and the Mississippi Mafia, Indigenous, and Elvin Bishop on Saturday; and

Nick Moss and the Flip Tops, Shemekia Copeland,

and

Dickey Betts and Great Southern on Sunday.

Local bands include Jill West and Blues Attack, as well as Eugene and the Nightcrawlers.

Food vendors will offer gumbo and corn bread, grilled ribs, chicken or vegetables, pulled pork barbecue sandwiches, fresh watermelon and funnel cakes.

Proceeds from concession sales benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Allegheny County.

Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the gate per day, or $50 for a weekend pass. Children 12 and younger are admitted free, and there will be activities for them from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Parking is free. Call 412-460-2583.