The countdown is on to one of Birmingham’s biggest free jazz festivals. The Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival returns on Saturday, Aug. 26. Organized by Taste of Fourth Avenue, Inc., an organization under the umbrella of economic development nonprofit Urban Impact, the festival is a celebration of music, history, and food in the heart of Birmingham’s historic 4th Avenue Business District.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the festival and, in celebration, Urban Impact has expanded the festival to two days—Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27.

Starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, the Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival stage will ignite with a blend of traditional and smooth jazz. A lineup of 11 local and national artists are set to take the stage, including flutist Sherry Reeves, Daniel “Jose” Carr and his quartet, the Elnora Williams and Friends Band, Grammy-winning saxophonist David Sanchez, vocalist Netra Young, and the world-renowned, all-female ensemble Jazz in Pink. WBRC reporters Jeh Jeh Pruitt and Sarah Verser will be the festival hosts.

Carla Youngblood, the director of operations at Urban Impact, says the festival is like a big family reunion. People make plans to come to the district early, put down their lawn chairs to secure their spots, and walk the streets visiting the vendors before the music starts.

“Down in the historic Black district, this is something that has gone on over 20 years,” said Youngblood. “It has become a staple to the city of Birmingham to show the importance of that area.”

Headed to the Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival? Here’s a quick guide to vendors and set times.

THE BASICS

When: The Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival is on Saturday, August 26 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, August 27 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: The festival will take place on 4th Avenue North between 18th and 16th Street.

Admission: The Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival is free and open to the public.

LINEUP & SCHEDULE

This year, the Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival will boast 11 artists over two days. Here’s a roster of the artists and set times (Note: The schedule is subject to change.)

Saturday, August 26:

2:15 p.m.: Sherry Reeves

3:05 p.m.: Daniel “Jose” Carr

4:20 p.m.: Elnora Williams and Friends Band

5:20 p.m.: The Nashville Soul Experience

6:20 p.m.: Cashmere Williams

7:20 p.m.: David Sanchez

9:15 p.m.: Ves Marable

Sunday, August 27

2:55 p.m.: Fee Fee Redmon

3:50 p.m.: Netra Young

5:00 p.m.: Jazz in Pink

6:55 p.m.: KB’s Technique

SILENT ART AUCTION

On Saturday, the festival will hold a silent auction for five pieces of art designed to pay tribute to the 1963 bombing of the 16th Baptist Church and the victims of the attack, including Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley, and Denise McNair— the four girls who died in the bombing. The artwork was revealed earlier this week at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute during an evening of art and conversation with Sarah Collins Rudolph and Lisa McNair. Rudolph, who lost her eye in the blast, is the sister of Addie Mae Collins. McNair is the sister of Denise McNair.

Carla Youngblood commissioned five artists to create work for the event. Inspired by the stained glass window in the church, Bethany Blanks created a mixed media piece using digital drawings, and acrylic and oil paints. Neal Hamilton created “At What Pace,” a work using spray paint on canvas. Reginald Henry created an oil painting replicating God’s hands. Syiera Youngblood created a graphite drawing of the 16th Street Baptist Church.

Telysa Pride, who also designed a portrait of the church, used markers and acrylic paint.

The artwork will be placed in the festival’s VIP section, where festival-goers will be invited to place bids in the silent auction. The auction will end when the festival closes on Saturday night.

VENDORS AND BOOTHS

So far, the Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival is set to have more than 15 vendors selling food, drinks, and apparel. The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, which is still under renovation, will also have a booth at the festival.

KID ZONE

Youngblood says one of the festival highlights this year will be the kid zone. The festival has expanded the children’s section to include video game booths and giant board games in addition to traditional face-painting and balloon animals.