For the past 26 years, Chuck Wentworth gave his time and energy to making the annual Labor Day weekend Rhythm & Roots Festival one of the best music festivals in Rhode Island.

With Chuck’s untimely passing in April, hundreds of volunteers, as well as GoodWorks Entertainment, picked up the gauntlet to help continue the tradition.

This year’s festival saw record attendance and outstanding talent, from festival regulars like Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys and Pine Leaf Boys to newcomers like Larkin Poe and Drive-By Truckers to music icon Emmylou Harris.

The Chuck Wentworth Foundation was announced at the festival, as the founder of the event was honored.

The foundation hopes to support young musicians by providing instruments, offering music lessons and organizing musical showcases.

Chuck’s daughter, Caitlin, organized the foundation and established a website, www.chuckwentworth.com, to raise funds and inform the public.

People are encouraged to visit the website to sign up for the newsletter and contribute to the foundation. Caitlin is asking for silent auction items, raffle baskets and volunteers with fundraising or event planning experience.

GoodWorks announced the dates for next year’s festival to be held again at Ninigret Park in Charlestown on Aug. 29, 30 and 31. The festival will begin at 1 p.m. all three days.