NATCHEZ — The music won’t stop this weekend.

Music Production organizer for the Great Mississippi Balloon Race Jimmy McCarstle has made sure melodies playing all weekend long with the creation of a second musical venue on the north end of the festival grounds.

“Essentially what it is is a stage for young and old folks that are not professional musicians,” McCarstle said. “It is meant to encourage and support the developing music scene by giving the artists exposure and a chance to play in front of an audience.”

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Musical acts will play in 45-minute sets Saturday and Sunday.

“There is only so much we can do on the main stage,” McCarstle said. “This is a way of doing stuff in between sets on the big stage so there is always music in the air.”

New Orleans-based brass band the Red Hot Brass Band will be one of the featured acts on the camp stage. McCarstle said the band is full of talented young musicians.

“They will do a set on the stage and then they will move around the festival site during the day,” he said. “This is a way for people to really get up close with the music.”

Also appearing on the stage will be local acts Aviator Ominous, Bobby J All Stars and Minus 300 and Sylvia Johns Ritchie.

Aviator Ominous features local Stacy Parker and Minus 300 feature local Jon Borum.

“These performances have the feel of a front porch sessions,” McCarstle said. “We want to continue to encourage music that is growing in our community.

“If you don’t encourage music to grow, it won’t do it on its own.”

Music starts on the camp stage at 11:15 with two sets from Aviator Ominous. Bobby J All Stars take the stage at 3:15. The Red Hot Brass Band will take the stage at 5:15, followed by Minus 300 at 7:15.

Sylvia Johns Ritchie will perform from 2 to 4:15 on Sunday afternoon.

“This is in no way a B stage,” McCarstle said. “These are musicians who are not yet professional musicians but might be gearing up to go that direction.”

Music and festivities get under way at 6 tonight with the balloon glow, music and fireworks.

Saturdays’ activities begin at 7 a.m. with a morning flight. Music starts at noon on the festival grounds in the Rosalie Bicentennial Gardens. Festival gates open at 11 a.m.

The afternoon barge drop flight is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Music will continue throughout the day with headliner Better than Ezra set to take the stage at 9:15 p.m.

Sunday morning will begin with a 7 a.m. flight. The festival grounds open at 11 a.m., and music starts at 1 p.m.

An afternoon flight is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Country music artist Rhett Akins will perform at 4:15 p.m.

All flights are weather permitting. For up-to-date flight information subscribe to flight updates at www.natchezdemocrat.com or listen for updates on 95.1 FM.