Music lovers looking for an evening of variety, fun, and strong local, regional and national talent can find all that and more at Historic Camden on Saturday evening.

The 20th annual Jammin In July music festival, will start at 5 p.m. with some nine local, regional and national acts performing a variety of styles and genres gracing the stage throughout the evening. 

“We have really worked hard to serve up a wide variety of genres, styles and configurations over the years,” Daniel Riddick, festival founder, producer, and musician noted. “To coin an old phrase, there should be something for everyone.”

The festival, a major fundraiser for Historic Camden, has become a much looked-forward to summer celebration not only for music lovers but the musicians themselves. 

That’s because the festival was created as much with the musicians in mind than anything else, Riddick said.  The original idea was to provide a venue celebrating the artists rather than catered to a bland commercial market and to help up-and-coming musicians build promotional portfolios so they could have a better shot at getting their work before the public, he said. Making the venue family friendly as well as diverse not only helped give artists exposure to potential fans they might not otherwise have reached, it also provided audiences opportunities to hear a variety of different genres of music they might not otherwise actively be exposed to or seek out, Riddick said.

Twenty years into it, the formula seems to be working, he said.

Cleanhead Eddie G., also known to folks in Camden as Ed Grossheim, will kick off the evening, taking the stage in front of McCaa’s Tavern at 5 p.m with his unique style of blues, rock and originals. He will be followed by Anna Lynn Ferris, a young, up and coming acoustic solo artist, also from Camden.

Fair Jam takes the stage next. Comprised of Scott Jordan on guitar and vocals, percussionist Bobby Joseph, and Paul Hayes on Mandolin, Fair Jam plays a fun mix of eclectic acoustic rock with shades of bluegrass. 

The Double Naught Spies are next. The Spies, featuring Ed Esposito on guitar and vocals, Jimmy Tatum on guitar and vocals, Kim Juretich on drums and vocals and Greg Cain on bass and vocals, are a hard rocking four piece specializing in deep cut classic rock and blues. 

Jim Hayes and Friends take the stage next. A long-time friend of the Jammin In July Music Festival, Hayes has more than 35 years of entertaining experience. He and his bands have opened shows for artists such as Roger McGuinn, David Allen Coe, the Marshall Tucker Band and Rob Crosby. Hayes e is now back to performing a mix of classic and contemporary rock with just his guitar and occasionally a guest or two.

Taking the stage after Hayes will be Columbia-based five piece rock band The Revelry, followed by Robert Lighthouse, a long-time favorite traveling blues artist. Lighthouse, a native of Sweden, first came to the United States at the age of 18, determined to learn more about the music he loves -- Mississippi Delta Blues. Robert’s simultaneous work on guitar and harmonica has received rave reviews in major blues publications throughout the United States, Europe and Australia. A true world musician, Robert has just finished a two month tour of Russia. 

Headlining the evening for the second time in the festival’s history is Webb Wilder and Beatnecks. Wilder, the self-proclaimed “Last of the Full Grown Men,” is a singer, guitarist, bandleader, film actor, songwriter and humorist. Calling the music he makes “Rock for Roots Fans and Roots for Rock Fans,” he and his band, the Beatnecks, put together a raucous but skilled combination of R&B, Rock and Roll, Country, Blues, and Pop guaranteed to be a foot stomping good time.

Ending the evening will be Bakers Dozen, a collective of various performers from throughout the day who will play acoustic music on the Craven House porch for an “Acoustic Revolution Finale.” This has been a tradition since the very beginning of the festival, and is always a much looked forward to finale to a fun day.

Tickets for Jammin in July at Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, 22 Broad St. in Camden, are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and military, and $4 for ages 6-12. Advance tickets are available. All proceeds benefit Historic Camden.

Coolers are welcome -- bring food and drink -- however, please do not bring glass bottles. Food concessions will also be available. Some picnic tables are available but it is suggested that festival goers bring chairs, blankets, etc.

In case of inclement weather, the festival will be held at Camden’s old Coca Cola bottling plant, now known as 833 Broad Street.

Please, no pets, glass bottles, or tents.

For more information call 432-9841, email rideye@bellsouth.net, or visit the website at www.historic-camden.net.