PICKENS — Officials with Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative encourage the public to come out to Pickens May 14-15 and enjoy classic hits and beach music, scope out classic cars and vie for a chance to win prizes, all while raising money for 12 great causes.

The 13th Annual Blue Ridge Fest begins 6 p.m. Friday with the annual Beach Night and Cruise-In, featuring the Upstate’s largest cruise-in event, and a line-up of bands sure to get the audience up on its feet.

“Our entertainment for this year is phenomenal,” said Liza Holder with Blue Ridge Electric.

The Temptations, featuring Dennis Edwards, are bringing all their hits – including “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” and “My Girl” — to Pickens as they headline the Beach Night concert.

“The hits are endless,” Holder said.

Jim Quick and Coastline will also perform during the concert, delivering a set of soul, rhythm and blues

“They put on a great show,” Holder said. “They are just mesmerizing. You’ll love them if you’ve never seen them before.”

You can’t have a Beach Night without beach music, and Legends of Beach will deliver the goods, getting the shaggers in the crowd up and on their feet.

Five members of Legends of Beach are former members of the Embers, the group known for their hit “I Love Beach Music.”

One lucky Blue Ridge attendee will walk away with a big cash prize. Organizers are raffling off $5,000 Friday event. Tickets for this raffle are $5 each. Winners don’t have to be present to win.

Saturday features the charity motorcycle ride.

This year’s route ends at Timm’s Harley-Davidson in Anderson, after winding 100-miles through the foothills of the Upstate.

Ride registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The first bikes will leave at 9:15 a.m. and the last bikes will be out at 11 a.m.

Bikers can compete for a $1,000 prize for best hand.

After the motorcycle ride, Blue Ridge will give away a new 2010 Harley-Davidson Softail, said Amy Childress with Blue Ridge

“It is a beautiful bike,” she said.

Tickets for this giveaway are $10 each.

Raffle tickets for each of the giveaways, and for the Festival itself, can be purchased at any Blue Ridge Electric or Blue Ridge Security office, or by calling 1-800-240-3400.

All the proceeds from the Blue Ridge Fest, including raffle ticket purchase, go toward Upstate charities.

“Last year we raised $142,000 for our charities,” Childress said. “In the 12 years that the Fest has been going on, we’ve raised $952,000.”

Despite the recession, the festival is on track to reach its fundraising goal, thanks to sponsors and expected attendance, Childress said.

Each year, a committee of Blue Ridge employees the 12 charities that will receive the proceeds.

This year’s charities are Miracle Hill Children’s Home, Mary’s House, Prevent Child Abuse Pickens County, Residential Service Parent & Family Club, Golden Corner Food Bank, Haven of Rest Ministries, Helping Hands of Clemson, Rosa Park Medical Association, Sabrina House Children’s Charity, Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County, Shriners Hospital for Children and Tamassee DAR School.

“This is what it’s all about,” Childress said.