A decade-long tradition of local music, culture and camaraderie is being continued from noon till midnight Saturday at the 10th anniversary of Chuck Fest.

The festival began as a celebration for a local downtown restaurant and has evolved into a free, annual event that puts musicians on the stage, businesses in the spotlight and patrons into their dancing shoes. This year’s edition is no exception, said Cameron Fultz, executive director of the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana.

“Chuck Fest grew from humble beginnings as a celebration of Luna Bar & Grill’s 10th anniversary, performances on scaffolding stages, and as grassroots as it comes,” Fultz said in an email. “Now Chuck Fest keeps that same grassroots feel, but with the resources and backing of the Arts and Humanities Council and local sponsors, we’ve only grown the festival every year in both scope and attendance.”

Each year, the “best and brightest” of Southwest Louisiana are highlighted to bring ”big-city “activities to Lake Charles without locals having to “crack open their checkbook.”

“Gone are the days of having to travel and hour or two on I-10 to enjoy something huge like Chuck Fest,” Fultz said.

The stages will be “stacked with talent” this year, he said. There are 25 musicians to experience, including main-stage acts like the Charlie Wayne Band, LeTrainiump, Jarvis Jacob & The Gents, LVVRS and Flamethrowers. Fultz said he looks forward to Paper Plains, Angola Rodeo, Dani LaCour, Rome Murray Jr., Nicki Needham, Baby in the 90s and Dead Matadors.

From country rock to disco pop to genre-bending soul, Chuck Fest will have a song for everyone, Fultz said.

“The cool thing about Chuck Fest is you can’t attend and not find something you enjoy,” he said.

Fultz said festival-goers can expect more music, more food and more fun. The Kid Zone is also making a reappearance. For the time in between sets, a food court, art market, beer tent and merchandise tent will be set up.

Chuck Fest is a labor of love, Fultz said.

“Sometimes people don’t realize the amount of time, energy and stress that goes into a day like Chuck Fest,” he said. “Without your love, support and encouragement, this job would be much tougher.”