Great American music at the Great South Bay festival

Celebrate America for the second weekend in a row with the fourth annual Great South Bay Music Festival at Shorefront Park in Patchogue.

The three-day festival of "American-themed" music and arts has expanded again, adding some jam bands and gospel music to the mix and giving festivalgoers a chance to make some music of their own at a Korg-sponsored Musical Petting Zoo and a "Guitar Hero" contest in the Looney Tunes Tech Tent.

"We'll have rock, jam bands, folk, blues and gospel music all day," says Jim Faith, the festival's co-producer. "It's a safe, affordable place to spend the day."

With headliners War, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, and Robert Randolph and the Family Band, the Great South Bay Music Festival will run the gamut of American music.

But there's a lot of talent among the festival's 47 performers earlier in the day. Don't miss:

THE GOOD RATS (4 p.m. Sunday, Blue Point Brews Stage)

The Long Island Music Hall of Famers and the self-proclaimed "World's Most Famous Unknown Band" have become a Great South Bay tradition with their potent classic rock sets.

JOHN GORKA (9:30 p.m. Friday, Cultural Tent)

The folk singer's album "So Dark You See" was well received last year, as he tackles poems and the blues.

KERRY KEARNEY (7:10 p.m. Sunday, Brews Stage)

The award-winning Long Island bluesman will be rolling out songs from his recent "Balancing Meridians" album.

FUNK FILHARMONIK (8:40 p.m., Friday, Brews Stage)

Long Island's connection to Tower of Power funk and Earth, Wind & Fire soul will make use of the festival's newly enlarged stage.

THE RBC (12:25 p.m. Saturday, Brews Stage)

Fresh from playing the Bonnaroo Festival last month, the Merrick-based band is bringing its mix of dub, jam band rhythms and rock back home.

WONDEROUS STORIES (7:20 p.m. Friday, Brews Stage)

The Long Island prog rockers will play Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's classic "Deja Vu" in its entirety.

The Great South Bay Music Festival: 4:30 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Shorefront Park, Patchogue, 631-331-0808, greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com.

Tickets: $18-$24