Participants in the Jam Fest basketball tournament play Saturday in Dunkirk. The first-ever festival continues today. P-J photo by Damian Sebouhian

A sunny, breezy day helped create the perfect setting for Saturday’s trifecta of Spring Festival events in Dunkirk as attendees had the opportunity to listen to live music on the pier, shop for unusual goods and crafts at the Dunkirk Conference Center and watch local school athletes compete in downtown Dunkirk’s first-ever three-on-three basketball tournament.

The rock band Hooman kicked off the music festivities at the pier, followed by the Shakey Ray Blues Band. The Bon Jovi tribute band Wanted headlined the evening, performing for an enthusiastic crowd as the sun set brilliantly over the Lake Erie horizon.

Over at the Dunkirk Conference Center, patrons perused unique handcrafted items from a plethora of vendors including original wood burnings, grill scrapers and custom wine bottles from Lighthouse Keepers Crafts; Native American jewelry, beadwork and leatherwork from Linda Lee’s Indian Crafts; clothing and car tires from the Church of Healing Broken Hearts Ministries; antiques, wicker baskets, leather jackets and toys from Etcetera; and tie-dye clothing from Linda Caughel’s Tie-Dyes.

A block of downtown Central Avenue was barricaded to accommodate a 15-team, three-on-three Jam Fest basketball tournament composed of area students ranging from sixth through 12th grade.

Ryan Hall, head of the Dunkirk Youth and Rec Department, organized the event and said he looks forward to keeping the tournament as an annual occurrence well into the future.

“I think without a doubt I can see two blocks being filled (for next year’s tournament),” Hall said.

SUNY Fredonia donated four hoops for the event, Cash for Cans donated all twenty of the basketballs, the Senior Center donated water, while Frosty Treat and Hometown Insurance donated gift cards for the winning teams.

The double elimination tournament featured two winners from the middle school division and two from the high school division.

Today marks the last day of the Dunkirk Spring Festival, with the continuation of the flea market at the Conference Center and live music at the pier.

Bands at the pier include No Limit from 1 to 3 p.m., The Probables from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and Her and Them from 6 to 8:30 p.m.