ESCANABA – The eighth annual Marina Fest starts at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Escanaba Yacht Harbor. This is a free event hosted by the city of Escanaba Harbormaster Larry Gravatt. Every year, the festival brings people to the marina to enjoy music, events and food.

Starting off the day at 11 a.m. is an open mic opportunity for the public. Those interested are asked to sign up by contacting Gravatt that morning.

On the main stage a local favorite, the Lark Brother Blues Band, will perform from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

“These guys have been around the area forever,” said Gravatt. “Everyone in town knows who the Lark Boys are. I plan to see a good crowd there.”

Coming from Marquette to entertain between 3 and 4:30 p.m. is The Derrell Syria Project, the founder of Conga Se Menne. They play cover tunes that everyone can sing along with.

“A couple of guys will join him in Escanaba,” said Gravatt.

Taking the stage from 5 to 7 p.m. is Stolie, a musician originally from Chicago. It will be her second appearance at the Marina Fest.

“I was impressed with her when I met her years ago and asked if she would be interested in playing the Marina Fest,” said Gravatt. “Turns out she lives in Chicago and she would be more than willing to come here. She was here two years ago.”

Stolie plays pop and rock music on an acoustic guitar.

Starting at 7 p.m, the band ToHuBoHu will take the stage with their blues, jazz and alt-country, with a side of classic New Orleans, music.

“John (Beck) is a mainstay at Marina Fest and my go-to-guy,” said Gravatt.

Events this year are reminiscent of previous Marina Fest activities. The bean bag tournament will start at 4 p.m. by the stage area. Participants are asked to sign up before 4 p.m. Gravatt said this year there will be an actual tournament.

The Kid’s Raingutter Regatta will run through the afternoon. It is a racing activity using unpowered miniature boats. The path the boats take consists of two rain gutters filled with water. Both gutters are positioned across a support. Each challenger blows into the sail to get the boat to the end of the gutter before their competitor. Boats will be provided.

There will be a remote control sailboat demonstration in the marina around 5 p.m.

“It’s basically a demonstration kind of thing,” said Gravatt. “We have a bunch of enthusiasts here who like to share their love of R/C Sailboats.”

Bobaloons, DeBacker Family Dairy and Wildmans Munchie Mobile will provide food choices to purchase.

Gravatt has been the harbormaster for 10 years, two of the years he didn’t host Marina Fest.

“We skipped twice, the first year I was here and then I skipped the year of the Esky 150,” said Gravatt. “There was so much going on for the Esky 150, I said ‘nah, don’t do it’.”

Marina Fest will go on rain or shine.

“Last year was fabulous,” said Gravatt. “Hopefully the weather’s gonna be nice. I haven’t been skunked yet.”

For more information about Marina Fest, contact the Escanaba Marina at 786-9614.