VIDALIA — Area residents have the opportunity to celebrate the nation’s troops and veterans this weekend while grooving to the tunes of local musicians.

Operation GRITS, “Gifts Raised in the South,” has been actively showing appreciation for United States military service members since December 2010, but this Saturday will be the first time the group has done so with a concert, said GRITS president Pattie Jones.

“We have been active since 2010 sending boxes to deployed troops all over the world,” Jones said. “Usually we send about 500 (boxes of gifts) a year. … It’s just our way of showing support to our local troops.”

Operation GRITS is hosting the first-ever “Groovin’ with GRITS” concert to salute local heroes, Jones said. The concert lasts from 4 to 8 p.m. this Saturday at the Vidalia Amphitheater, admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students and free for all veterans and children ages 12 and under.

Local performers include Easily Distracted, Josh Wilkerson and Brock Farmer, Heath Whittington, Gabriel Bass, Casey Gilbert and YZ Ealey and members of the Vidalia High School dance line — the “Viking Elite.”

Attendees also can participate in face painting, a prayer, a standing ovation and salute to local veterans, Jones said.

Proceeds from the festivities this weekend will help GRITS ship gift boxes to deployed local troops stationed around the world. Boxes with fliers listing the needed donations will be available at the event, Jones said.

“We encourage local people to take the boxes, and we give them a list of things to fill them with,” Jones said. “We open the doors to anyone that wants to help us prepare the boxes.”

Some requested items include toiletries such as toothpaste and toothbrushes, snack items such as drink mixes and beef jerky — no canned food — and items to help deployed troops pass idle such as magazines and games.

Jones said Ronnie Calhoun acted as co-organizer for the event and deserves half of the praise, if not more, for putting the festivities together.

“I couldn’t have done this without him,” Jones said. “I’m hoping that this Saturday will be a fun evening for the entire family.”