The 22nd annual Onset Blues Festival, a presentation of American blues music, returns on Saturday, August 2.

Located in the heart of scenic Onset Village and overlooking the harbor, the festival includes a food court, nearly fifty vendors, and a wide array of blues musicians.

"It's a good festival--it introduces Onset to a group of people who might not have been aware of us before," said chairman Bill Lockwood.

The day’s music will begin with a free street performance from 10 a.m. to noon featuring Boston’s Lloyd Thayer playing in Dudley Square. Thayer has played steel lap guitar, harmonica and Dobro guitar for many years throughout New England and he represented Boston in the 2004 International Blues Challenge.

Guitar slinger Johny Barnes and his band The Nightcrawlers will open the festival at noon at the bandshell in Prospect Park. Barnes has been playing blues in a variety of bands since the 1970s.

Next up is the Fat City Band, a six-piece with a sound is as big as their name. They are regulars on the New England blues club circuit and have five albums to their credit.

Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish return to the Onset stage after a seven year hiatus. Hoy and the band are legends on Martha’s Vineyard and have released five albums.

“Sax Chick” Rosemary Casey, who fronts Rosemary's Baby Blues, will also perform.

"They were here several years ago and put on a terrific show," said Lockwood.

He also said the festival is following the formula of years past but with small enhancements, such as extending the hours of the concert.

"We're playing until 9 p.m. so the headliners will be in 'after-supper mode' as opposed to 'mid-supper mode,'" said Lockwood.

Headlining the show at 7 p.m. will be Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials. Hailing from Chicago, Lil’ Ed Williams and his half brother Pookie are nephews of the legendary J. B. Hutto. They have been playing together at festivals all over the country since the sixties, and with this lineup since 1988. They have seven albums on Alligator Records.

The Onset Blues Festival is a presentation of the Onset Bay Association. Tickets are $20 in advance, and are available online at www.onsetbluesfestival.com or at the Onset Bay Association office, 4 Union Avenue in Onset.

Lockwood said the festival has stuck around for 22 years by maintaining a good consistency of acts and having a beautiful backdrop for a concert.

"It's a good day," he said.