Saturday, the lineup is full of traditionalists: the Flatland Zingers, the Hushpuppies, Lightnin’ Wells and a variety of jam artists and local players coming together to what’s become a twice yearly tradition in the Tar Landing Jam. Sponsored by the Beaufort County Traditional Music Association and Tar Landing Co. LLC, it’s a celebration of traditional music, blues and bluegrass, a donation-only event to which anyone who’s interested in music is invited.

But that’s not all it is. It’s also a celebration of community. With every Tar Landing Jam, there’s a cause associated. This year’s cause involves a basic need associated with an as-yet incurable disease.

Tar Landing Jam host Rob Cuthrell said he met Scott and his wife, Teresa, when they were married and started attending the church where Cuthrell worships. Described as a sweet couple of simple means, Scott was diagnosed over two years ago with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a neurodegenerative disease that breaks down neural connections and erodes muscular ability. In recent months, he’s begun using a motorized wheelchair to get around, but the couple has no way to transport the wheelchair. This is where the Tar Landing Jam’s fall proceeds come in: money raised will be used to purchase a used wheelchair van for the Barrows and the freedom of movement that will come with it.

In the past, the Tar Landing Jam has donated its proceeds to help outfit the new Bath Community Library and rescue a century-old sailboat from its final resting place after Hurricane Irene in 2011; to the Beaufort County Arts Council (now Arts of the Pamlico) and to help BCTMA member Don Skinner battle cancer costs. Just as the cause varies from fall jam to spring jam year to year, so do the bands invited to perform.

Saturday will start with a community jam in which all players are invited to bring an instrument and sit in or just sit back and listen. At 6 p.m., the Washington-based Flatland Zingers will take the stage for some string-band music described by banjo player Linda Boyer as “Appalachian earthy.” Fountain acoustic folk and bluesman Lightnin’ Wells takes over at 7 p.m. with vintage tunes from the 1920s and the Great Depression era. From 8–10 p.m., the Hushpuppies, from the Triangle area, will wrap up the event with their traditional, but rollicking, old-time music, Boyer said.

Also on the menu will be food for purchase, though the event is donation only.

Cuthrell said that even though this weekend is event-filled across the county, anyone and everyone is invited to the Tar Landing Jam.

“It’s a weekend full of activities — but we’ll see. We’ll have a good time,” Cuthrell said.

The Tar Landing Jam is located at 304 Tar Landing Drive, Bath. For more information, visit www.bctma.org.