Besides the sweet aroma of doughnuts, patrons of Jerry’s Donut Shop in Vidalia are also greeted with an impressive collection when they walk through the door.

Prominently displayed throughout the restaurant are 29 posters depicting each year of the annual Great Mississippi River Balloon Race.

From the inaugural 1986 design to the slick 2014 illustration, Jerry’s is covered corner to corner with framed posters.

Loyce Kirby, Jerry’s owner, said her collection only became complete a few years ago.

“When I moved the restaurant to this location in June 2013, my sister told me ‘leave the decorating up to me,’” Kirby said. “I’m not much for decorating, so I thought ‘great.’”

When Kirby’s sister, Kathy Merriett, showed up with a nearly complete collection of balloon race posters, Kirby was floored.

Only one poster — the 2011 design — was missing, Kirby said.

“When I noticed she was missing one, I said, ‘You know what, I had one hanging in the other building,’” Kirby recalled.

The next day, Kirby tracked down her poster, and to her surprise, it ended up being the missing piece to her poster panoply.

“I just knew it was meant to be,” said Kirby while admiring the 2011 design, which features an ornate column with colorful balloons floating in the background. “It’s definitely my favorite one.”

Since the balloon race is an annual, highly anticipated event, Kirby said its common for folks to visit Jerry’s in October — the month of the race — to admire her collection.

“People come in, and they just go around and look at them all,” Kirby said.

When the race began 30 years ago, Mimi Miller — executive director of the Historic Natchez Foundation, which hosts the balloon race — said the poster was simply created for advertisement purposes.

Miller never thought the design would evolve into something so iconic.

“Back then we didn’t have computer design, so it was all done manually — scotch tape and all,” Miller said of the 1986 logo, which boasts a simple black and white design with advertisers lining the perimeter. “It was a quickie, but people kind of got attached to it.”

As the years carried on and the race got bigger, Miller said the poster design translated onto T-shirts.

“I like the idea of the T-shirt and poster reinforcing each other,” Miller said.

Today, Miller said several locals compete each year for their poster design to be picked.

“The competition is continuous,” Miller said. “There is no deadline, so people will bring designs to our office year-round.”

If the foundation likes the design, Miller keeps it on file. Then, when late August rolls around, Miller said the foundation looks at its options and decides which one will serve as the face of the balloon race that October.

This year, the foundation again chose a vintage-inspired design by Natchez resident Tim Givens. Givens was also the designer of the 2014 poster and T-shirt.

“I grew up with balloon races every year,” 30-year-old Givens said. “It’s like the first day of fall in Natchez. The weather is always perfect, and it’s great to see everyone who comes into town.”

Givens’ design, like most balloon race posters, celebrates Natchez by depicting a signature scene — the bluff.

With the newly constructed Bridge of Sighs overlooking the mighty Mississippi River, Givens said inspiration came easy.

“I think this is the year, if any year, to include the Bridge of Sighs because it’s brand new,” Givens said. “It kind of ties it all together.”

The design’s hues of navy and burnt orange reinforce a feeling of fall, Givens said.

“I wanted to include a vintage art-deco look, too,” said Givens, adding that he also gained inspiration from past years’ designs.

Knowing that his poster will be plastered all over town and saved for years to come is a big honor, Givens said.

As for Kirby, she already has a vacant spot on her restaurant wall, ready to display Givens’ design.

“I’m starting to run out of room,” Kirby said with a laugh. “I might just have to get a bigger wall.”

The balloon race begins Friday, Oct. 16 and concludes Sunday, Oct. 18. For more information on the race, visit natchezballoonrace.com.

Small balloon race posters cost $20 and large posters cost $30. Posters from years 1987 and 1995 through 2012 are in stock.

Youth-size T-shirts cost $15, and adult sizes cost $25. Tank tops, long sleeve T-shirts, sweatshirts and denim shirts are also available.