There still will be opportunities to take a ride in the 70-foot Ferris wheel and learn about the county's history, but the second State of Dade Heritage Festival and County Fair has placed its emphasis on disaster relief.

"Our emphasis is for growing it," said event chairman Butch Raper, "and develop a festival that is a revenue generator. But with the [April 27 tornado] disaster, it's kind of hard to not reach out and develop a disaster relief fundraiser."

The six-day event concludes Saturday at the Dade County Recreational Facility and Fairgrounds on Highway 11 South.

Tonight will feature a salute to the county's music heritage with a performance by the Dade County High School Band, followed by a Gaither-style outdoor concert with music by other performers.

Organizers also have tabbed the evening a date night for parents, who can drop off their children at the 16 amusement-ride midway - open until 9 p.m. - while they attend the concert.

Saturday will have a variety of events, including continuous music shows, arts and crafts booths, car show, bike show, Confederate and American Indian encampments and a blessing of the bikes by North Georgia, North Alabama and Southeast Tennessee chapters of the Christian Motorcycle Association.

In addition, Blood Assurance will have three buses available for donations, county 4-H Club members will show their prize-winning livestock and the American Legion will host a Skype station, where area residents can place free overseas calls.

Proceeds from car-show entries will help the Dade County High School band purchase new uniforms, funds from bike-show entries will benefit the medical expenses of Adam York, and sales of event logo T-shirt will go to disaster relief.

The entertainment Saturday includes The Bel-Airs, a group that performs 1960s and 1970s music, The Durhams, Michelle Berry, Greg Allen Jones and Johnny Cash impersonator Terry Lee Goffee.

The midway will be open from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. Armbands ($20) are available for unlimited rides, or individual tickets may be purchased.

Raper said a board, working with various aide organizations, will distribute relief funds from the event.