MASSENA -- The stage is set, literally, for the grand opening of the North Country Showcase, scheduled to start at 11 a.m. this Saturday, July 8.

Located at the St. Lawrence Centre mall, the showcase is a marketplace that brings together local products, hand carved, hand blown, woven, crafted and painted, all produced in the North Country region, under one roof.

“To kick the day off will be a splashy ribbon cutting by Massena Mayor Tim Currier and Town Supervisor Joe Gray, both of whom will be flanked by colorful balloons showing how very festive and exciting this whole thing is, “ said Karen St. Hilaire, president of the showcase.

“And if celebrities and balloons aren’t enough, opening day celebrations will feature great music by great local musicians,” she added.

Producing the musical day for the North Country Showcase is Michael Guimond who has been performing for more than 30 years under the name “Margarita Mike's Blue Moon Café.” Guimond comes from Ogdensburg and is married to Angela DiTullio of Massena. He has written an instrumental guitar album called "Abandon" which he is in the process of recording. He will begin the musical day with some of his own works and, perhaps, a Pink Floyd medley. He also performs locally and regionally with his band “De'ja Bleu,” both duo acoustic and full band versions. Here is a You Tube link to one of Guimond’s songs -- https://youtu.be/pWF22W_NN5w.

Scheduled 11-12: Andy VanDuyne. He is from Norwood, and together with Michael Welch are the band “Microburst.” VanDuyne also plays with Northbound and is an accomplished guitarist, vocalist and keyboard player.

From noon to 1 p.m. is Pat Duffy. Pat is from Ogdensburg, a singer/songwriter, is the founder and producer of MOOD Fest in Ogdensburg. He performs locally and regionally as a solo artist and just released a new CD titled "Americana". Pat is also a luthier and has created his signature Gum Drop guitars.

Tracer James is scheduled from 1-2 p.m. He is an accomplished guitarist from Massena and was a finalist in Joe Bonamassa's Blues Masters Contest. He owns and operates Tracer’s Music Studio offering lessons for guitar, bass, drums and pedal steel for all ages and skill levels. James performs locally with The Tracer James Trio.

From 2-3 p.m. is Chris Lincoln. He is a singer/songwriter from Massena, and is a music teacher at Massena Central High School. He produces and performs alongside his students in June Rocks, giving them an opportunity to perform on a professional stage. Lincoln recently released a CD titled "One Life" and performs locally with The Chris Lincoln Band.

“These musicians offer great entertainment on a very festive day for all of us: organizers, producers, crafters, carvers and painters,” said St. Hilaire. “North Country Showcase is our North Country at its most creative.”