Showcasing a variety of music from four Michigan bands, along with a menu of barbecue and family games, the second annual Bayside Music Festival is slated for Saturday, August 7, in front of the marina in St. Ignace.

Performances will begin at 4 p.m., starting with emcee Mike Ridley, known as “the Michigan Man,” who will be followed by Soul Purpose from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Stone Soup Band from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and the Donny Hartman Band from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., which will play during the fireworks presentation at 10 p.m. The admission charge is $2 for people age 21 and older, and admission is free for those younger than 21.

Widely known throughout the state, Mr. Ridley, from Indian River, will perform a wide range of original “northern Michigan hits,” such as “All My Exes Live in Rexton,” and a full repertoire of U.P. jokes.

“There's a tremendous northern Michigan flavor to it -- that's probably the thing that I'm most proud of,” he said. He's been playing music full-time for 30 years.

Praising the quality of the bands, he said he's excited to be returning to the Bayside Music Festival.

“It's a tremendous festival,” he said, “and it's great to see the whole community come together. It's an inspiring thing for the community to get this done.”

Soul Purpose of Detroit will feature funk, soul, blues, and Motown beats.

“We try to be diverse and give something for everyone,” said bassist “Fast” Eddie Washington, who began his career as a guitarist in the 1970s. “We're going to play Motown songs, definitely some blues, and some funk -- that's one of our staples. We like to funk, to involve the crowd, and just have a good time.”

Explaining that most of their performances are on the east side of the state, he said the band is looking forward to making the trip again to the festival in St. Ignace, where they enjoy soaking up the U.P. atmosphere.

“For us, it's about getting away for a while,” he said. “It's picturesque. I'm also a photographer, and I've got a whole bunch of pictures from up that way.”

Stone Soup, a four-man group whose members are all originally from the Detroit area, features rock music influenced by blues and jazz.

Bassist David Jasmund, who now lives in St. Ignace, said the band's founders -- drummer Tom “T-Bone” Wager and saxophonist Russ “Mambo” Liocana -- wanted to add flavor to their music by experimenting with jazz and vocals.

“They wanted to break away from classic rock and try something that had a different mix and styles,” he said, explaining that's why the band is named Stone Soup. “Whave the mix of the swirly organ along with the flute and saxophone.”

The Donny Hartman Band will close the evening with a line-up of classic rock and roll music. Highly regarded by Michigan rock fans, Mr. Hartman was at the forefront of the Detroit rock culture in the 1960s as the lead guitarist for The Frost, a band from Alpena.

“We were the only Detroit band in '68 and '69 that could fill Cobo Hall and Olympia Stadium,” he said of the band's concerts, adding that, in 1968, one of their albums sold 52,000 copies in two days. “Bob Seger and all of the new bands in Detroit were trying to make a name for ourselves.”

And that's exactly what the band did, playing in shows across the country with bands such as Pink Floyd, The Allman Brothers, The Supremes, Fleetwood Mac, and Eric Clapton. In 2008, The Frost was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

Mr. Hartman, who now lives in Rogers City, has been playing in bands for 42 years and has no intention of stopping. Rock and roll has been running through his veins since he was a youngster.

“My mother took me to see an Elvis concert when I was eight, and it ruined me,” he laughed.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hartman, who's also played at local bars in St. Ignace, is enthusiastic about playing at the music festival for the first time.

“My band loves it up there,” he said, “and I'm excited as all get out to come up and play.”

Offered from a variety of local restaurants, food at the festival will include a vast selection of barbecued meats and sandwiches, as well as a pig roast, chicken dinners, bratwurst, hamburgers, whitefish sandwiches, fries, baked beans, cole slaw, and key lime pie. Restaurants will include Bentley's Cafe, Timmy Lees Pub, Pines Trading Post, Mackinac Grille, Horseshoe Bay, Driftwood Restaurant, Larry's Cinnamon Road, The Galley, and The Village Inn. Beer, wine, and soda pop is also available.

Family Events Offered

at Little Bear East Arena

During Music Festival

Events at Little Bear East Arena during musical festival weekend will include roller skating, a 5k Run/Walk, youth track and field events, and pool races.

Roller skating will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, August 6, at the arena. The $5 admission fee includes pizza, pop, and rental skates.

A 5k Run/Walk will start from the arena at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 7. Registrations $10 and an even shirt is $10. There are several age divisions for the run. Trophies will be presented.

Youth track and field events will be at the LaSalle High School track at noon. Youth will participate in 100- and 400-meter dashes, long jump, and softball toss.

Pool races and a treasure hunt will be held at the high school swimming pool at 2 p.m. Races will include 15-, 25-, and 50-meter swims, and a rescue swimmer challenge. The entrance fee is $3 for ages five through 17 and free for all 5k participants.