One of the great traditions in Fishers is spending part of Labor Day weekend at Blues Fest. In my view, it ranks among the best free music events any city offers.

My wife, Jane, and I have made a tradition of attending one of the festival’s two evenings. This year, our daughter Allison joined us with my two grandkids, ages 3 and 6. Let’s just say the event earned enthusiastic approval from all three generations. Everyone loved the music and the experience.

Now in its 14th year, Fishers Blues Fest brings eight acts to the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater over the September 5–6 weekend. This year’s lineup includes Judith Hill and Grammy-nominated musician Jontavious Willis, with music spanning blues, soul, funk and more. Admission is free, with no tickets required.

That free admission matters. It gives families an opportunity to enjoy live music together and makes it easy for someone unfamiliar with the blues to give it a listen. A community event like this can introduce people to music they might never otherwise seek out.

The blues deserves that audience. Its roots reach deep into African American musical traditions, including field hollers and ring shouts, and its influence runs through rhythm and blues and rock ’n’ roll. It is one of America’s great contributions to world culture—and, to my ears, some of the best music anywhere.

My hat is off to the Fishers Parks staff and city leadership for continuing to support this annual tradition. An event may be free to attend, but it takes planning, resources and work to make it happen.

For our family, Blues Fest offered time together and music we could all enjoy. That is a pretty good way to spend a Labor Day weekend—and a tradition worth keeping.