The Gray Sky Blues Music Festival promises that, "Though the skies may be gray ... Great music will brighten your day!"

The annual Tacoma event, started in 2008 when the Daffodil Parade organizers approached the Tacoma Events Commission, asking for help to get more people to attend the long running parade. Seizing on the opportunity to bring some brightness to the mid-spring doldrums, the Commission envisioned the Gray Sky Blues Music Festival as a fun way to welcome brighter days of spring and the summer ahead. 

"Tacoma has a long history for live music, and is known for its talented local musicians," says organizer Gary Grape. "This is an opportunity for us to not only showcase national talent, but to feature our local and regional talent as well." Joining the headliner - Portland's Franco Paletta and the Stingers - is a healthy helping of local and national talent, such as the Chase Walker Band from Los Angeles, who are performing as part of the South Sound Blues Association's Youth Guest Program.

The Swiss Pub, The Harmon Brewery and Cutter's Point Coffee host more than 12 blues acts throughout the day. Local blues musicians such at Malcolm Clark, Nolan Garrett and Maia Santell and House Blend play mid-day.

The aforementioned Franco Paletta and the Stingers, a Chicago style blues band made for dancing will cap the Swiss' show at 6 p.m. The headline show is the only segment requiring a cover charge; everything else is free.

Head downtown for the 10:30 a.m. Daffodil Grand Floral Parade, which can easily be viewed along Pacific Avenue between 10th and 21st streets. After, head to the Gray Sky Blues Music Festival venues for lunch, a favorite beverage and some great music.

Included in the festivities is a Rod and Custom Car Show, sponsored by The Harmon Brewery. More than 100 custom rods will be parked in front of the Harmon as well as across the street, tying in the love of music, automobiles and tradition into an event that is uniquely "Tacoma."

For those looking for a cool down, there is also After Festival Party at the South Tacoma's Stonegate. The party starts at 8:30 p.m. with Blues redemption upstairs and an "All Ages Jam" hosted by Jumpin' Josh Violette downstairs. Expect cameo appearances by the festival musicians.

If sunny weather does end up dampening the Gray Sky Blues Festival, event organizer Gary Grape has a contingency, "My philosophy is, if we keep it ‘Gray Sky,' it will always be sunny on the day of the event."

DOWNTOWN TACOMA, SATURDAY, APRIL 13, NOON TO 7:30 P.M. DOWNTOWN, 8 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT AT STONEGATE, FULL SCHEDULE AT SOUTHSOUNDBLUES.COM