Fasten your seat belts: the seventh I AM Festival takes place Saturday in downtown New London.

The largest free independent musical fest in Connecticut, this year's day-long/into-the-wee-hours gathering features almost 30 artists on five different stages - Parade Plaza, The Hygienic Art Park, The Telegraph, the Oasis Pub and 33 Golden - along with food and merch vendors and the requisite carnival atmosphere.

National headliners include The Whigs (9 p.m., Hygienic Art Park), The McLovins (3:45 p.m., Parade Plaza), Pretty & Nice (8:30 p.m., Parade Plaza), Ron Gallo (7:45 p.m., Hygienic Art Park), The So So Glos (10 p.m., Parade Plaza), Quiet Life (5:30 p.m., Parade Plaza), and The Box Tiger (7 p.m., Oasis Pub).

Several local bands have earned slots as well, and among them are The Hempsteadys (7 p.m., Parade Plaza), Pocket Vinyl (3:30 p.m., Hygienic Art Park), The Can Kickers (6:15 p.m., Hygienic Art Park), Marvelous Liars (7:30 p.m., 33 Golden), and the United States Coast Guard Dixieland Band (12:45 p.m., Parade Plaza).

The Day will stream performances and artist interviews live for the duration at theday.com/iamfest, Look for a complete calendar and more information in Friday's Daybreak section.

- RICK KOSTER

I AM Festival, 12:45 p.m. Saturday-2 a.m. Sunday, downtown New London; free; iamfest.org.