The annual "50s in February" celebration kicked off Wednesday at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. The event commemorates the anniversary of the final concert of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and "The Big Bopper" J.P. Richardson, who were killed in a plane crash shortly after leaving the Surf in February 1959. Jeff Nicholas, the event’s chair, says three more nights of rock-and-roll are on the lineup.

There’s a 50s and 60s cover band called "Coupe de Ville," followed by Tommy Allsup, who played in Buddy Holly’s back-up band at the Surf. Tonight will end with the Nelson Brothers, the sons of rock legend Ricky Nelson. Laurie Lietz, the Clear Lake Chamber’s director of tourism, says Friday will feature the traditional sock-hop.

Syndicated radio host Mike Harvey will bring his Super Gold show to the Surf and "Johnny Star and the Meteors" will perform before the sock-hop. Saturday night will be the "feature night" of the four-day event and Leitz says there will be five legendary groups performing on the Surf stage.

The Saturday lineup includes "Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs," "The Cleftones," "The Crickets," Bobby Vee, Dale Hawkins and Barbara Lewis. For more information, call 800-285-5338.