Whether seated in lawn chairs, laying on blankets or standing, the hundreds of people packed into Quakertown Park on Saturday could not help but move their bodies to the jams coming from the main stage at the 11th annual Denton Blues Festival.

Event officials say the festival raises awareness of the blues and introduces young people to the genre.

“In the past, people only remember Johnny Taylor, B.B. King, etc.,” said Kerry Goree, chairman of the Denton Black Chamber of Commerce. “But there are a lot of new young acts. Blues is not dead, even if some of the older acts have died.”

The festival ran all day and featured local and international acts. This year’s spotlight was on such acts as Michael Burks, Miss Marcy and UpAll Night.

For the younger fans, there were dance troupe performances and talent shows. And there were food vendors offering catfish, barbecue, burgers, hot dogs and more.

The black chamber and Denton Municipal Electric were this year’s main sponsors. All proceeds from the free event go toward seminars the chamber puts on throughout the year, which offer insight on legal and business topics such as starting a business or becoming a vendor.

About 3,000 to 4,000 people have attended the event each year, Goree said, adding that the number fluctuates with the weather. Goree noted the presence of fans from several ethnic groups.

“Regardless of the color of our skin, you can have the blues,” he said.

Among the people enjoying the music were Jimmy Wesley and his wife, Evelyn. The California couple were visiting their daughter in Cedar Hill when they heard a radio commercial for the festival and decided to check out the city and festival for the first time.

“The people are friendly and welcoming. We’re enjoying it,” Evelyn Wesley said.

Another newcomer to the festival — and to Texas — was new Denton resident Laura Milton. She spent much of the time gyrating to the music of Nicole Fournier and her band.

“The is awesome; I love this,” Milton said, taking a seat to rest after Fournier finished a song. “I am glad we found it.”

Milton, originally from Columbia, Md., described the festival as low-key entertainment. She said she planned to attend next year’s festival.

“And I just like the blues — anything that is good blues,” Milton said.

BJ LEWIS can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is blewis@dentonrc.com.