Toronzo Cannon performs during Czech Village Blues in 2019. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

After canceling last year’s Czech Village Blues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival is returning on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021.

The Linn County Blues Society will hold the fourth Czech Village Blues in the green space south of the Czech Village neighborhood in Cedar Rapids, near C Street and Bowling Street SW.

Gates open at 4 p.m., with the outdoor show starting at 5 p.m.

See photos from the last Czech Village Blues in 2019.

Rick Estrin and the Nightcats will headline the show. A three time winner at the 2018 Blues Music Awards, Rick Estrin and the Nightcats led the nomination count in this year’s Blues Music Awards.

The middle act features triple International Blues Challenge winner Kevin “BF” Burt. Kevin won the 2018 International Blues Challenge in three categories, taking home top honors in the Solo/Duo,Solo/Duo Guitar, and Harmonica. In 2019, he was a Blues Music Award nominee for Heartland and Soul, (Best Emerging Artist Album).

Opening Czech Village Blues will be a unique collaboration, with members of Flat Cat sharing the stage with the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy’s new blues band, Ship of Fools, mentored by Craig Erickson.

Major sponsors for 2021 are New Leader Manufacturing and Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery.

“We are excited to bring our first-rate show back to Czech Village this summer with plenty of room for a fun and safe event for all,” David Antin, president of the Linn County Blues Society said in a news release.

Tickets are available at www.LCBS.org for $20 or for $25 at the gate.

The Linn County Blues Society is a registered 501(c)(3)non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion and perpetuation of blues music in Eastern Iowa, as well as to provide charitable contributions to other community organizations.

More: See photos from the 2018 Czech Village Blues and the inaugural event in 2017.

The Ally Venable Band performs Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, during Czech Village Blues in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)