The 12 annual Blues and Views Festival in Westport is being held this Labor Day weekend at the Levitt Pavilion.

Founder and organizer Bob LeRose says the event is all about the community having fun. "Whenever you have an opportunity to bring the community and surrounding areas together through music, food, family activities, it's always a great thing, so we try to live that,” he says.

LeRose started the event 12 years ago when he says he wanted to combine his two passions of blues music and barbecue food. A variety of food vendors and bands come to the event.

Bryan Malcarney, chef and owner of Rory's, has participated in the festival for 11 of the 12 years. He says this is because the event is so unique to the area.

Jon and Gisele Captciano say the festival has become a tradition for them. "This has been our annual thing every year," Jon Captciano says. "We come here for this right before we kick off the fall.".

Rut Leonard says she'll be at the event all day. "If you like music, you definitely need to give it try," she says.

The festival runs both Saturday and Sunday. Doors open at 11 a.m. and tickets are available online and at the gate.

News 12 is told that money from the event goes to the Levitt Pavilion for the performing arts, the Staples Tuition Grants and the Wakeman Town Farm.