NATCHEZ &045; For Frank Rowe of Natchez, it was the life.

He sat propped back in a lawn chair, an ice-cold beverage in his hand sunglasses and a broad smile on his face, as a mild spring wind tempered the effects of the brillant sun above.

But Rowe wasn’t looking at the weather. Instead, he was intent on enjoying the acts on stage at the Natchez Bluff Blues Fest.

He’s one of the diehards, people who have attended the festival since its inception 10 years ago.

&uot;It was July 4. It was held right down there,&uot; Rowe said, pointing to the north up the river bluff from the current site at the Rosalie Bicentennial Gardens. &uot;It (felt like) 110 degrees.&uot;

What keeps him coming back? &uot;I just love the blues,&uot; Rowe said &045; although he added that he couldn’t define what makes the blues so compelling and, therefore, wouldn’t try to put it into words.

Around Rowe, dozens of others savored all types of blues during Saturday’s part of the festival on the bluff, with several more acts taking the stage of various restaurants and clubs throughout Natchez Saturday night.

At the bluff site Saturday, several booths were set up with food, drinks and fun for all ages. A children’s area with games and karaoke was set up on the north end of the site.

Other booths ranged from a mini golf putting range sponsored by the city’s Recreation Department to a booth featuring information on the Concordia Animal Welfare Shelter to face painting by the parent association of West Primary School.

Back at the center of the site, Sean Smith of Natchez reflected on what made Alvin Youngblood Hart his act of choice at the Blues Fest. &uot;He can go from rock to blues to reggae in a span of 10 minutes,&uot; Smith said.

Rowe also enjoyed the music of Natchez resident Maggie Brown, which he admitted wasn’t straight blues, but blues-flavored music.

&uot;We’ve listened to her for years. We’ve known her since she was this high,&uot; Rowe said, holding his hand not far from the ground.

Sunday’s activities include blues brunches at Marketplace Caf, Center City Grill, The Natchez Eola Hotel and Biscuits and Blues.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, Alvin Shelby will host a gospel tribute to the Rhythm Night Club fire, which claimed hundreds of lives in the 1940s, at Marketplace Caf.