2023 events include beloved annual festivals and celebrations for every age group – Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper

NATCHEZ – Go to Natchez this morning launched its 2023 calendar of occasions for town, together with the return of a number of beloved annual festivals, live shows and celebrations which might be excellent for all ages to take pleasure in.

“We’re happy to share our thrilling lineup of occasions deliberate for this yr, starting from music festivals and vacation celebrations to sizzling air balloons and historic experiences,” mentioned Devin Heath, govt director of Go to Natchez. “These occasions showcase the most effective of what Natchez has to supply, together with our native flavors, hospitality, historical past and tradition. We stay up for welcoming locals and guests alike to make unforgettable recollections in Natchez in 2023.”

1. Mardi Gras Parade, February 17

This parade is held in downtown Natchez starting at North Broadway, that includes brilliantly lit adorned floats, reside music and rather more. This occasion is free and open to the general public beginning at

6:30 p.m. For extra data, go to https://www.kreweofphoenixnatchez.com/upcoming_events.

2. Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration (NLCC), February 23-24

This annual celebration, which started in 1990, is a theme-based lecture sequence enhanced by movies, workshops, exhibitions, e-book signings, live shows, discussions and extra. The convention is made attainable partially by the Mississippi Humanities Council. For extra data, go to www.colin.edu/group/natchez-literary-and-cinema-celebration.

3. The Highway to “A Raisin within the Solar”: The Hyperlink Between the Hansberry Household of Gloster, Mississippi, and Alcorn A & M School, February 28

The Natchez Historic Society will current J. Janice Coleman, professor of English at Alcorn State College, as she traces the critically acclaimed 1959 play, “Raisin within the Solar,” to the affect of the cherished residence library of Lorraine Hansberry’s grandfather, an 1891 Alcorn graduate, in Gloster, Amite County, Mississippi. For extra data, go to https://www.natchezhistoricalsociety.org/1801.html.

4. Natchez Powwow, March 25-26

Each March, 1000’s collect on the Natchez Bluff to have fun the realm’s wealthy Native American heritage. The annual occasion contains conventional Native American dancing, singing and enjoyable. For extra data, go to www.natchezpowwow.com.

5.   Natchez Backyard Membership Spring Pilgrimage, March 1-Might 15

Guests could tour fourteen distinctive and delightful historic Natchez Backyard Membership houses – some obtainable for the primary time in fairly some time – in addition to museum residence Rosalie, on this unique tour. Many provide late afternoon or night occasions comparable to a candlelight dinner at Magnolia Corridor and a possibility to satisfy the homeowners at Elms Court docket. For data and a listing of taking part houses, go to www.littleeasytours.com.

6.   Pilgrimage Backyard Membership’s Spring and Fall Pilgrimage Excursions, March 11-April 11 & September 23-October 20

In a practice courting again to 1932, Natchez opens the doorways to its beautiful historic houses to welcome vacationers from the world over. The celebrations embody excursions led by costumed hosts in Nineteenth-century characters, theater performances, distinctive shows and reside music, all centered on town’s gorgeous historic houses. For extra data and a listing of taking part houses, go to www.natchezpilgrimage.com.

7.   Euro Auto Competition Automotive Present, April 21-23

The 2023 Natchez Euro Fest Basic European Auto & Bike Present combines European engineering and sweetness with southern hospitality. This family-friendly occasion is free and held on the Natchez Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River and can characteristic classic and new unique autos and bikes. For extra data, go to www.euro-fest.internet/natchez.

8.   The Rhythm Evening Membership Hearth Commemoration, April 22

The Rhythm Evening Membership Memorial Museum will commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the Rhythm Evening Membership Hearth of April 23, 1940. This annual occasion tells the tragic story of the Rhythm Evening Membership hearth that killed greater than 200 folks, together with Walter Barnes and his band members. It’s free and open to the general public. For extra data, go to https://www.rnconsitemm.org.

9.  Competition of Music: A Month-Lengthy Celebration, Might

Rejoice the humanities in Natchez with a sequence of reside musical performances all through the month of Might. Company can expertise particular reveals from musicians spanning numerous genres, together with blues, rock & roll, theater and rather more all through the autumn and spring seasons. For extra data, go to www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com.

10.  157th Annual Miss Lou Memorial Day Parade, Might 29

To honor our nation’s veterans, Natchez will maintain the 157th Annual Miss Lou Memorial Day Parade, the place members will march from Vidalia, La., throughout the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge, to the Natchez Nationwide Cemetery, the place a celebratory ceremony shall be held. The parade will start at 8:45 a.m. and the ceremony will begin round 11 a.m.

11.  Mudbug Music Competition, Might (Dates Coming Quickly)

This brand-new pageant, which kicked off in Might 2021, options unbelievable reside music from nation music superstars, contemporary crawfish and all kinds of meals distributors complemented with chilly beer, drinks and cocktails alongside the Natchez Bluff. Company may also take to the streets Friday evening for Smoot’s Epic Avenue Celebration with meals, reside music, drinks and enjoyable for the entire household.

12.  Natchez Bicycle Basic, June 10

With the slogan, “Come for the Experience, Keep for the Celebration,” cyclists of all talent ranges are invited to Natchez for this thrilling occasion. This basic contains paved and gravel routes which stretch by means of among the most scenic parts of the Natchez Hint Parkway. For extra data, go to https://www.fb.com/natchezbicycleclassic.

13.  Worldwide Crepe Myrtle Competition: A Month-Lengthy Celebration, July

Hundreds of Crepe Myrtle timber flower with breathtaking magnificence every July in Natchez and this occasion is held after the primary bloom. Guests are invited to take a self-guided tour by means of historic downtown and the Natchez Cemetery to see among the space’s high gardens, historic websites and to admire the fantastic thing about summer time in Natchez. For extra data, go to www.fb.com/NatchezCelebratestheBlooms.

14.  Natchez Meals and Wine Competition, July 27-29

After retiring in 2018, Natchez’s Meals and Wine Competition is again this yr in collaboration with the Natchez Adams County Chamber of Commerce to coach locals and guests about culinary traits, experiences and wine and to have fun all that the fantastic meals the area has to supply. For extra data, go to https://www.fb.com/natchezfoodandwinefest/.

15.  Soul Meals Fusion Competition, September (Dates Coming Quickly)

The Soul Meals Fusion Competition is an immense culinary and cultural expertise that highlights the realm’s conventional soul meals cooking, fused with historic folklore, cultural arts and music remedy from the varied background of Natchez. For extra data, go to www.fb.com/soulfoodfusionfestntz.

16.  Natchez Balloon Competition, October 20-21

Since 1986, the Natchez Balloon Competition has stuffed historic downtown Natchez with hot-air balloons, native reside music and dozens of artwork and meals distributors. From the pageant web site on the gorgeous grounds of Rosalie Mansion, guests can savor unbelievable fall climate and luxuriate in pageant actions, together with the night balloon glow, fireworks and carnival rides, all whereas taking in spectacular views of the Mississippi River. For extra data, go to https://natchezballoonfestival.com/.

17.  Y’all Means All Natchez, October 27-29

Y’all Means All Natchez is an LGBTQ+-friendly pageant that celebrates the range of the Natchez group whereas elevating funds for suicide prevention. Notable weekend occasions embody drag queen bingo, a welcome reception at Choctaw Corridor and speakeasy after-parties, the Battle of the Belles and Beaus contest and rather more. For extra data, go to www.yallmeansallnatchez.org.

18.  Longwood Afternoon, October (Date Coming Quickly)

This occasion options reside music, meals, beer, carnival actions and crafts and is held on the grounds of Longwood Corridor. For extra data, go to www.longwoodafternoon.com.

19.  Angels on The Bluff Cemetery Tour, November (Dates Coming Quickly)

The Natchez Metropolis Cemetery, one of many oldest burial grounds within the nation, hosts the Angels on the Bluff occasion every November, that includes iconic Natchez personalities buried inside the cemetery, portrayed by their descendants and different native residents in interval costumes. This elaborate manufacturing contains candlelight excursions of the gorgeous and historic web site, enchanting storytelling and musical tributes to the lives and deaths of a few of Natchez’s oldest “residents.” For extra data, go to https://www.natchez.ms.us/300/Angels-on-the-Bluff.

20.  Annual Christmas Tree Lighting + Chili Prepare dinner-off, November 25

Christmas in Natchez kicks off with the annual tree-lighting occasion on Most important Avenue within the heart of downtown. Held on Thanksgiving weekend, this occasion options pyrotechnics set to music, Santa inside House Financial institution, caroling across the tree, scrumptious meals distributors, children rides and different family-friendly actions. For extra data, go to www.christmasinnatchez.org.

21.  Christmas in Natchez, November 25-December 31

This Christmas celebration lasts from the Saturday after Thanksgiving till Dec. 31. The town of Natchez fills the season with magic and vacation cheer throughout this occasion, that includes caroling within the park, the downtown Christmas parade, ornamental Christmas excursions and rather more. For extra data, go to www.christmasinnatchez.org.