PICKENS — The days are winding down in anticipation of Blue Ridge Fest 2013.

The annual Upstate event is in its 16th year, and 13 area charitable organizations are looking to benefit from its proceeds. All activities will take place at the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative office and grounds at 734 West Main Street in Pickens on Friday, May 10.

Four well-known musical groups will perform at the beach night show and dance.

The headline act will be The Drifters with Charlie Thomas, known for such hits as There Goes My Baby, Save the Last Dance for Me and Up on the Roof.

Preceding them onstage will be The Clovers. The ensemble has produced an impressive string of 15 No. 1 songs, including Love Potion Number 9, One-Mint Julep and Devil or Angel.

Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs are also part of the entertainment lineup. They are known for their massive national hit Stay. Another of their song stylings, May I, was a big regional record for the group in the 1960s. Williams is perhaps best remembered for penning Little Darlin’, which was a monster hit for The Diamonds back in the seminal days of rock-n-roll.

Leading off the evening will be the Party Prophets Band. As part of their performance, this group will play a tribute concert in memory of their late lead singer, Billy Scott. The beach music legend passed away in 2012.

Complementing the entertainment will be the Upstate’ s largest cruise-in. Between 500 and 600 collectible cars are expected to roll through the gate that Friday evening. A host of food and beverage items will also be on sale.

The 13 human-assistance agencies that will receive funding from this year’s Blue Ridge Fest are serving within a four-county region that includes Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, and Pickens counties.

Their number includes Anderson Free Clinic, Arc of the Tribble Center, Dot’s Kitchen, Feed a Hungry Child, Foothills Alliance, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Hidden Treasure Christian School, Mary’s House, Rosa Clark Medical Clinic, Sabrina House Children’s Charity, Samaritan Health Clinic, SHARE and United Christian Ministries.

In its first 15 years of existence, Blue Ridge Fest has produced $1.4 million that was distributed to local charities. Last year’s event raised a record $171,000 in net proceeds.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children, with discount admissions available prior to May 10. These can be purchased online or at any Blue Ridge Electric or Blue Ridge Security office. For more information, call 1-800-240-3400 or visit online at blueridgefest.com.