NATCHEZ — With the first day of the Natchez Bluff Blues Fest complete, area residents have two more days to catch the blues before they are gone.

The 2011 festival is featuring 25 acts and 30 shows at nine venues across Natchez over the three-day period, and day two’s festivities kick off at 10 a.m. today at the United Mississippi Bank stage near the Natchez Grand Hotel on Main and Broadway streets.

The first day of the festival featured performances by many bands and the opening of the spring market in the same area as the UMB stage.

Natchez Blues Fest coordinator Eric Glatzer said the festivities went well on the first day, and he expects them to be even better on day two.

“Everything went really nicely,” he said. “We have a lot of venues open and a lot of music for people to hear.”

Glatzer said the festivities will start off Saturday with some gospel music, and the styles will change throughout the day.

“From gospel we will go to a little more rock heavy music, to some traditional blues to some rock blues,” he said.

At 7:30 p.m. the music will spread throughout Natchez’s many downtown bars and restaurants, and Glatzer said schedules for who is playing where are available near the main concert area.

“Each venue is going to be different,” he said. “We always try to have as many venues as possible because the more places we have open the more we can introduce people to Natchez’s musical heritage.”

Glatzer said while some clubs will charge covers to hear live blues, the majority of events, including the market and all the concerts at the UMB stage, will be at no cost to the public.

The festival will also be celebrating the Ealey Brothers, musicians whose contributions to the blues go back 50 years in Natchez.

A Mississippi Blues Trail marker will be unveiled in honor of the Ealey brothers at 5:30 p.m. today on Broadway.

Glatzer said those who attend the ceremony will be in for a special treat.

“‘Y.Z.’ Ealey will be performing with the Natchez Blues Sound at his own ceremony,” he said. “This will be the best of the best.”

Glatzer said Sunday will feature a more laid-back approach to the festival with blues brunches scheduled for many downtown restaurants.

“Each place is going to have its own little style,” he said. “You may want to travel around to get a true taste of all Natchez has to offer.”

Reservations can be made for a number of blues brunches in downtown Natchez at The Natchez Manor, Eola Hotel, Biscuits and Blues or Club 601 and Under-the-Hill Saloon, each featuring regional recipes served up with “The Blues” starting at 11 a.m.

At 1 p.m., Sunday there will also be a free concert called Mayor Hyram Copeland’s Blues Picnic on the Vidalia Riverfront featuring Mojo Mudd. Red beans and rice will be served with a drink for a $10 donation.

The Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American Culture Museum will also have a permanent art exhibit dedicated to the Natchez Blues Fest and will be open all weekend to visitors.

Glatzer said if anyone is wondering where to go over the weekend, they can always follow the music.