A bit of the blues, a traditional community jam, bluegrass, classical, a little gospel and some “souped-up strings” will be offered Saturday at the spring 2012 Tar Landing Jam.

Presented biannually by the Beaufort County Traditional Music Association and Tar Landing Company LLC, this year’s spring jam is a fundraiser for the Beaufort County Arts Council, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

The jam runs from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. at host Rob Cuthrell’s Tar Landing barn off Creek Road in Bath. A $10-per-person donation for the day’s entertainment is suggested.

“The BCTMA encourages everyone to come out to the Tar Landing Jam and help support the BCAC and the activities and programs it provides,” reads a Tar Landing Jam statement.

“It’s an opportunity to have some fun enjoying some good music and raising funds for a good cause,” said Cuthrell, a BCTMA member and jam organizer.

If past jams are any indication, the spring jam should again offer a variety of superb music and great talent, according to someone who should know.

“I’ve never had a better afternoon,” said David Edwards, part-time Bath resident and recipient of last fall’s jam proceeds, which helped him retrieve his boat after Hurricane Irene.

“When I came out last year and heard the quality of the talent and the music, I was amazed. They were just awesome,” Edwards said.

The musical extravaganza definitely has something for everyone.

The afternoon offers a community jam beginning at 2 p.m., at which “anyone and everyone (regardless of age or skill level) is invited to participate,” Cuthrell said.

Several “special guests” will perform a few songs, starting at 5 p.m.

“Come and see who they are,” Cuthrell said.

The evening gets rolling at 6 p.m. with acoustic duo Chambergrass, which plays classical music and bluegrass on banjo (Kim Terpening) and bass (David Schwartz).

Tried & Blue will perform at 7 p.m. in a special reunion show featuring its original members. Formed in 2009 by a group of BCTMA members “who shared a love for the blues” and led by guitarist “Big Poppa Sid” Rothchild, Tried & Blue folded when Rothchild moved to the mountains in 2010. Joining Rothchild are guitarist Don Skinner, bassist Darren Smith, drummer Justin Casey and vocalist Teresa Prichard.

Taking the spotlight at 8 p.m. in a first-of-its-kind performance is the BCAC All-Star Revue. This group of talented singers and musicians includes BCAC board members Chynna Bonner, John Tate and Vail Rumley, BCAC Executive Director Joey Toler and percussionist Chris Nappi.

“It’s a once in a lifetime deal. Since (the jam) is a benefit for the BCAC, we thought (the revue) would be a nice element to include in honor of our 40th year,” Toler said.

Carolina Still wraps up the night with its “old-time, moonshine stomp,” as its music was described recently in Washington, the Magazine. Carolina Still is a homegrown Beaufort County band with a high-energy sound. It features vocalist and guitarist Justin Casey, fiddler Robert Norman, bassist Adam Jones and drummer Billy Smith.

Parking is plentiful, Cuthrell said. Sandwiches, sweets and drinks will be available for purchase.

To learn more about the jam, visit www.bctma.org. To get to the event take U.S. Highway 264 east 13 miles to Creek Road. Turn right, and then turn left onto Tar Landing Drive.