NORWICH – Thousands so far have enjoyed the Chenango Blues Association’s weekly Free Summer Concert Series in West Park, with performances by acts such as Eric Lindell, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Nathan Williams and the Zydeco Cha-Chas and – last week – J.J. Grey & Mofro. Tomorrow, they’ll have one last chance to experience some national talent free of charge, as the New Riders of the Purple Sage take to the stage at 7:30 p.m. in the Entertainment Tent at the 164th Chenango County Fair.

Originally formed in 1969 – aka the Summer of Love – the band is still going strong despite the death of original leader and guitarist John “Marmaduke” Dawson in 2009. Now led by pedal steel guitarist Buddy Cage – who joined the band at the urging of original pedal steel player Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead in 1971 – the current line-up has been touring since 2005.

According to Eric Larsen of the Chenango Blues Association, it’s a show you don’t want to miss.

“They’ve always told me how much they enjoy the reception they receive here and, last year, they had more merchandise sales than at any other stop they made,” said Larsen of the band, which has performed twice before as part of the Summer Concert Series. “Normally, we don’t like to repeat acts, but they’ve always been so well received, particularly after such a successful show last year, we thought we’d bring them back for the fair.”