Natchez will be singing the blues this weekend in honor of the fifth annual Natchez Bluff Blues Fest. The festival began Friday night and lasts until Sunday, featuring a variety of musicians and family activities.

&uot;It’s going to be a great time,&uot; said Eric Glatzer, producer and creator of the festival.

Residents got a taste of the blues early Friday with a Brown Bag concert at noon sponsored by the Natchez Downtown Development Association.

This year’s blues festival includes club performances in a number of bars and restaurants and outdoor music and activities Saturday at Memorial Park, next to St. Mary Basilica on Main Street.

The music will begin at 11:30 a.m. and last until 9 p.m.

Glatzer said he thinks the quality of the festival continues to improve each year.

&uot;Because of the established history of the festival, we’re able to pull in a higher caliber of talent,&uot; he said.

This year’s event will feature bands from Atlanta, New Orleans, Alexandria, La., and Natchez.

Glatzer expects about 2,500 people are expected to attend.

Glatzer said the blues have been growing in popularity in recent years because people can easily relate to the genre. &uot;It tends to bring the best out in people,&uot; he said. &uot;It has a universal appeal.&uot;

This form of music, originally known as &uot;Chasing the Blues Away,&uot; got its start among African-American slaves who sang the music as a way of releasing stress, he said.

&uot;The expression of the blues kind of unites us all,&uot; he said.

The blues fest weekend will conclude Sunday with several local restaurants offering &uot;Blues Brunches.&uot; The brunches start at 11 a.m.

Entrance tickets for today’s outdoor event at the park are $5 each. Tickets for children under 12 escorted by a parent are $2. No pets, coolers or recorders are permitted.