If the best in guitar, funk, blues and rock and roll is what you crave, then the third weekend in October will more than satisfy.

On Oct. 14-16, the 2016 Great Mississippi River Balloon Race is slated to welcome some of the best bands and guitar players in the country.

Riding high on Billboard’s adult alternative chart, The Revivalists will be back in town with their special brand of rock, soul and New Orleans sound.

The New Orleans band performed for 2013’s festival and looks to have this year’s crowd on their feet once again as Saturday night’s headline band.

“This is a band that is on the rise,” balloon race director Trevor Brown said. “The best thing about (The Revivalists) is that they don’t really sound like any one else out there right now.”

The band’s song “Wish I Knew You” currently sits at No. 3 on Billboard’s adult alternative chart and has been on the list for 17 weeks. Rolling Stone Magazine recently said the group was “one of the 10 bands you need to know.”

Joining The Revivalists Saturday night will be Dumpstaphunk headed by Ivan Neville, the son of music superstar Aaron Neville.

“They will definitely bring the New Orleans funk sound to Natchez,” Brown said.

Sunday afternoon will be headlined by Tab Benoit, an American blues guitar musician from south Louisiana. Winner of two B.B. King Entertainer of the Year awards, Benoit’s music combines various blues styles with an emphasis on the Delta Blues.

“All three of these bands have a national following,” Brown said.

Brown said the rest of this year’s music lineup will feature many of guitar’s best.

Ana Popovic and Tony Joe White will take the stage Saturday and Jerekus Singleton and Lightnin’ Malcolm will join Tab Benoit Sunday.

Popovic played at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2013 and most recently joined as the only woman guitarists on the Jimmy Hendrix Experience Tour in 2015.

White is best known for his 1969 hit “Poke Salad Annie” and for writing “Rainy Night in Georgia.”

“We definitely have some of the best guitar players in the country coming,” Brown said.

Not to be outdone, local artists Ben Lewis and Bishop Gunn add to the packed balloon race lineup. Tickets for adults to this year’s events are $35 for a weekend pass or $10 for Friday’s balloon glow and festivities, $25 for Saturday’s events and $10 for Sunday afternoon’s finale. Prices for children ages 7-12 are $10 for a weekend pass or $5 for each day’s activities.

For more information go to natchezballoonrace.com.