“(It’s meant to) create open spaces where the community can come together and meet new people and … see some talented musicians,” said Holly Ekwejunor-Etchie, the administrative manager for MICA.

The festival initially began as an event in 1994 called OctoberFest but evolved into something just for blues music lovers.

“Blues music is great to bring people together,” Ekwejunor-Etchie said. “(You see) people from all walks of life. That’s what’s so great.”

Although the festival mostly had audience members from an older generation, some MSU students found a reason to come too.

“I just came out because I wanted to try to dance a little bit, hang out with friends and listen to some music,” said Andrew Murray, an environmental geosciences senior. “I think it’s a success on all three.”

For the event, which generally draws about 10,000 people, Turner Street was closed from Grand River Avenue through Dodge River Drive in Lansing.

There were two main stages and 23 different performances planned for the weekend.

Mike Espy, a Flint, Mich. resident, was an unofficial performer at BluesFest. He, along with his friend, spent a lot of time playing guitar on an open stage.

“It’s music that goes back with African-American tradition that springs out a lot of different music like rock ‘n’ roll,” Espy said. “The blues is the source for a lot of music out there.”

There were also various retail stands that offered items such as African artwork.

BluesFest also offered an array of different dining options. There were around 15 vendors with a wide variety of global cuisine, such as Thai food, gyros and crepes.

Pam Bamfield, a Lansing resident, said this year’s BluesFest was the seventh one she and her husband have attended.

“We’ve been here many, many times,” Bamfield said. “We like the music and the people and the food. We just don’t have that many events in Lansing — it’s kind of neat.”