A free concert featuring Pert Near Sandstone, nationally known in the string band world, will be held on Saturday, June 8, in Vergas on Main Street downtown from 7-10 p.m.

Prior to the concert, there will be a craft-beer tasting event, Shops & Hops, from 4-7 p.m., also downtown. Beer-tasting tickets available at the gate. Bring your own chair for the concert.

Pert Near hails from “the sandstone river bluffs of St. Paul,” but one member, Justin Bruhn, also has family ties to Vergas. His parents grew up in Vergas and both sets of grandparents were life-long Vergas residents. Grandfather, Ray Bruhn, was a well-known realtor in the area.

The group has been playing and traveling for nearly two decades and recently released their eighth studio album. They have also toured Europe. The band will again host the Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire, Wis., from June 27-29.

The concert is sponsored by the City of Vergas, the Vergas Arts Club, Vergas Community Club and is funded in part by a grant from the Lake Region Arts Council through a Minnesota State Legislative appropriation.

Contact Mark Gehring, markg@periscopemgmt.com or www.pertnearsandstone.com for more information about the band.