Famous blues musician and Vicksburg native Willie Dixon would have been 96 years old on Friday.

In his honor, blues performances are scheduled across the city beginning Friday and ending Monday, the same day the city winds up its Independence Day celebration with a fireworks extravaganza and outdoor concerts downtown.

The Dixon birthday celebrations are part of the weekend-long event, Red, White and Blues, sponsored by the Vicksburg Blues Society to commemorate the Fourth of July with blues music.

“It all blends together,” said Shirley Waring, event coordinator. “This is just another chance for us to bring on the blues.”