WATCH: Annual LI Music Festival Returns For 4-Day Event

PATCHOGUE, NY — Music lovers can head to Patchogue for the Great South Bay Music Festival. During the four-day event, fans will experience a wide variety of genres and artists.

It takes place from July 24-27 at Shorefront Park in Patchogue.

"We realized that it couldn't be a two-day [or] three-day jazz festival, or just a rock festival," said Jim Faith, the festival's founder. "Long Island just wouldn't support that many days of one genre."

So the festival was born 17 years ago.

"I was a musician first. I was playing out when I was 11, 12 years old," Faith told Patch. "I stopped playing in my mid-30s and all I knew was music, so I started creating small events."

This year's event opens on Thursday is aimed at a younger audience with music from the 1990s and 2000s, features groups including Taking Back Sunday and Gym Class Heroes. Friday is a "Rock-Reggae Beach Party" with such acts as Damian and Stephen Marley, sons of the legendary reggae singer/songwriter Bob Marley.

Those in attendance on Saturday will enjoy several jam bands. The Great South Bay Music Festival concludes with a Yacht Rock Party. Men at Work and Ambrosia headline the final day.

On Thursday, performances are expected to run from 4-10 p.m. and until 11 p.m. on Friday.

As for the weekend portion, there even more of a day-long feel with the festival starting at 1 p.m.

"We're already working on next year's [event]," Faith said.

Check out the Great South Bay Music Festival website for the full lineup and ticket information.

Watch the "Patch Weekly Spotlight" below for the full interview the Great South Bay Music Festival's Jim Faith.