NORTH COUNTY – Two big events are planned for Labor Day Weekend including a blues festival at Oroville and a demolition derby at Tonasket.

The Rendezvous Blues at the Barn marks the return of rhythm and blues to the North Okanogan with three days of bands planned at the festival’s new location six miles south of Oroville at 69 Cordell Rd.

The festival will take place on Friday, Sept. 2, Saturday, Sept. 3 and Sunday, Sept. 4 and will feature several bands from around the region. Appearing “At the Barn” on Friday night will be the Company Band, a local favorite; Nick Vigarino and Mean Town Blues. On Saturday its Lota and Friends, the Chris Eger Band and Bad Dog Blues Society. Finishing up on Sunday it’s the Charles Wilder Band, Ben Rice Band and the Fat Tones. Contact Wes Edwards at (509) 560-3302 for more information.

Appearing off and on for more than a dozen years, the Tonasket Demolition Derby crashes into Tonasket in a big way on Sunday, Sept. 4 starting at 1 p.m. Presented by the Tonasket Comancheros Rodeo Club, the event takes place just south of Tonasket at the Tonasket Rodeo Grounds.

“We’ve got about 20 cars lined up with most of the entries coming from Tonasket and Omak,” said Bev Montanye, a Comancheros member. “New for this year we have 100 percent pay back to the drivers of the entry fees.”

There are five main heats, plus additional Powder Puff and Mechanics heats, according to Montanye.

There will be concessions available and money raised helps to support the rodeo club.