The inaugural Roots N Rails festival, taking place at the Station Coffee House and Gallery this Saturday, is a way to put the community and artists in touch with each other, says festival co-organizer Jeremiah Budnark.

"The artists have something that I think is significant to offer and it's a chance for the community to come out and experience it," Budnark said. "There are so many extremely good performers out there and it's something people may not encounter in their everyday lives."

The one-day festival runs from noon until 9 p.m. in the station's breezeway, featuring the acoustic-based music of several folk and roots bands and artists, including The Acoustics, Astrid Young, Sarah Halabecki, Shelley Hastings and Ray Materick.

The festival will also include displays by artists and artisans, including the Station's featured artist of the month, Kilauren Gibb, daughter of Joni Mitchell.

"Really, it's to promote the type of music: folk and roots," said Mike Tutt, owner of the Station Coffee House and festival co-organizer. "We really are one of the only places in Brantford that promotes that type of music and I wanted to put it all together in one day."

All the musicians performing at the festival have previously taken to the Station's stage.

"A lot of them are not the type you'd hear on Top 40 radio," Budnark said. "This is a chance for them to be heard."

The event also falls on what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday and Tutt said that fact won't go unnoticed.

"A lot of the musicians that are playing have indicated that they are planning to do a John Lennon song," he said. "In conjunction with that, at 6 p.m. we are going to get as many of the musicians that are here to play a small tribute to Lennon and do one or two of his songs."

The event is free, but Tutt encourages everyone who comes to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the food bank.

Visit www.brantfordstationgallery.ca for more information.

Roots N Rails performance schedule
12:15 p.m. Sarah Halabecki
1 p.m. John and Sheila Ludgate
1:45 Ian Reid
2:30 p.m. Don McGeoch
3:15 p.m. Scott B.
4 p.m. Cyndi Devereux and Dave Jensen
4:45 p.m. Shawn Brush
5:30 p.m. Rae Billing
6:15 p.m. Break
6:30 p.m. The Acoustics
7:15 p.m. Astrid Young
8 p.m. Shelley Hastings
8:30 p.m. Ray Materick