DOWAGIAC — Those who attend an upcoming Dogwood Fine Arts Festival event may not end up spending a “Saturday in the Park,” but they will spend a Saturday listening to the music of one of the most enduring rock bands of all time.

The Dogwood Festival will host Transit Authority, a Chicago tribute band, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center, 57028 Riverside Dr., Dowagiac. Tickets range from $20 to $30 and can be purchased by visiting dogwoodfinearts.org or by calling (269) 782-1115.

“This is going to be interesting,” said Jim Benedix, chair of the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival. “I love the music of Chicago. I love the brass. This is going to be a good concert. It’s going to be fantastic.”

Transit Authority is a band dedicated to playing the music of legendary rock and roll band, Chicago. Started in 2004, Transit Authority is based out of St. Paul, Minnesota. The eight-member group is known as one of the foremost Chicago tribute bands in the country and is dedicated to paying homage to the “greatest horn-driven rock band to ever hit the stage,” according to its website.

The band Transit Authority emulates is known for such hits as “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday in the Park” and “Make Me Smile.” Since being formed in 1967, Chicago has sold more than 40 million albums in the U.S., with 23 making gold, 18 making platinum and eight becoming multi-platinum. In 2016, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

A life-long fan of classic rock music and Chicago, Benedix said that he is excited to see Transit Authority come to Dowagiac.

“Tribute bands are great because many original [classic rock] bands are getting in their ‘60s and ‘70s or only touring in bigger areas,” he said. “[At a tribute band concert], the music is still there, but a new group has come along and is presenting it the way it was meant to be presented.”

Saying that if one were to close their eyes, the concert would be like being in the same room as the original Chicago, Benedix said he would encourage anyone to attend the May 11 event. He said anyone who attended would be sure to enjoy themselves.

“This is a way for us to enjoy the music live, not as a recording,” Benedix said. “If you don’t have to see the band Chicago, you just want to hear the band Chicago, we have got it handled for you.”