MIDDLEBORO — According to Loyal Knight Laura O'Connor, the Middleboro Lodge of Elks has a motto.

“As long as there are veterans, the Elks will never forget them.”

To help aid and support area veterans, the Middleboro Elks hosted its 18th annual Red, White and Blues Festival on Saturday, Aug. 26.

All of the proceeds from the festival go to veterans through a free lunch served at the Elks lodge on the third Thursday of each month.

“These veterans – they have a place in my heart here – all of them,” said Karen Blair, promoter of the event.

Before the blues began, the Elk Riders took a 70-mile motorcycle drive through Middleboro and surrounding towns, led by Road Captain Mike Terril.

An array of vendors and organizations participated in the festival, including authors Ed Beaulieu and Rick Bentsen, the Heart in Art organization and Levy Thomas Style Photography.

Middleboro-based Levy Thomas Style Photography, co-owned by Stephanie Thomas and Kelli Levy, joined the Elks in giving to veterans by donating 40 percent of their proceeds on Saturday.

“This year we decided to start giving back in different ways,” explained Thomas. “We came to let the veterans know they are not alone, that people care.”

“That people still remember,” added Levy.

Founder of the Heart in Art and long-time Middleboro resident Melissa Oddi-Morrison provided ice cream, face painting and crafts at the blues festival.

“We have a lot of veterans in town, they’re forgotten,” said Oddi-Morrison. “We want people to remember what veterans have done for our country and our freedom.”

Bands Tequila Mockingbird and Dale & the Duds performed as attendees enjoyed a chicken barbeque, raffles and a corn hole tournament.

“This band has been around forever, their music is great,” said Shawn O’Connor of the Middleboro Lodge of Elks. “We’re happy to have them here for a good cause.”

“This is what we are all about,” he added.