Natchez — Back for a second year, a resurrected festival showcasing music rooted in Natchez’s history is expanding its offerings.

Music at the Mounds, a festival that began in the early 1990s, was brought back last year after several years on hiatus, by organizer and local musician Brandon McCranie and Grand Village of the Natchez Indians Director Lance Harris.

The one-day festival of folk, bluegrass, blues, Americana music was scheduled to take place at the Grand Village last year but was relocated to Trinity Episcopal Day School because of rain.

McCranie and Harris are optimistic about the weather forecast this year and have expanded the festival into a two-day event.

“Brandon approached me last year about doing Music at the Mounds, and we said, ‘Let’s start off with a one-day thing and hopefully try to kick it up a notch the next year,’” Harris said. “We wanted to come back bigger and better this year.”

This year’s festival features local as well as regional musicians, including Papa Mali, former Widespread Panic guitarist George McConnell, Grammy-award winning blues musician Alvin Youngblood and Greenwood-based band Gunboat.

“I think this year is honestly one of the coolest musical lineups I’ve seen in a while,” McCranie said. “There is something for everyone.”

The cost of the festival is $5 each day.

“I don’t know where you could see so many quality acts for $5 a day,” Harris said. ”With the quality of musicians we have, it’s just going to be a great weekend.”

McCranie said he hopes festivalgoers include locals as well as out-of-towners.

“I’m really not sure what to expect as far as the turnout, but I’m hoping this turns into an annual event that brings a lot of people to Natchez,” he said.

In the future, McCranie said, he hopes the festival is profitable enough to give back to the Grand Village and put back funds to support future festivals.

Music at the Mounds will also feature arts, crafts and food vendors. Beer will be sold inside the gates.

Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged, and leashed pets are welcome. Ice chests are not permitted.

For more information about the festival, visit Music at the Mounds, Natchez MS on Facebook.