By David Hamilton

NATCHEZ — From fine wines and gourmet cuisine to live music and fellowship, the Natchez Food and Wine Festival aims to provide the ultimate dining experience.

In its 16th year, the festival will take place July 28-29. Festival co-chair René Adams said the festival is meant to serve as a boon for Natchez during mid-summer, when the city usually experiences a lull.

“The whole intent of the Food and Wine Festival was to create activity in Natchez at a slow time of the year that would benefit everyone,” Adams said. “That is the main mission: to bring people into town at a normally slow time of year.”

Along with fellow co-chair Lyn Fortenbery, Adams organizes events aimed to draw people in from outside of Natchez. Adams estimated that 80 percent of tickets purchased are by non-residents of Natchez.

This edition of the festival, Adams said, is special because it coincides with Mississippi’s bicentennial year. Adams said the festival is an official bicentennial event.

The festival kicks off Friday, July 28, with the “Mae Holyoak and Friends Lemonade Stand,” which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. At age 5, Holyoak began the fundraiser, raising money to buy dog beds for the Natchez-Adams Humane Society Shelter. In 10 years, the effort has raised approximately $50,000 for the cause. The lemonade stand will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the Natchez Convention Center.

The main event, “Tastings Along the Mississippi River,” will take place July 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. WLBT-TV personality Walt Grayson will be the event’s master of ceremonies.

Organizers have booked dozens of chefs and vendors from Mississippi and Louisiana to cater Friday night’s event with a wide swathe of dishes. The list includes chefs from Forklift Restaurant in Tupelo, Natchez’s The Castle Restaurant, Rolling River Bistro of Natchez, Table 100 in Jackson, Caribbean Room in New Orleans and many more.

In addition to the food, attendees can wet their beaks, as beer brewers such as Abita and Tin Roof along with “five of the top wine brokers for the state” will be present as well.

New to the festival this year, blues artist Dexter Allen, whom Adams called “one of Mississippi’s top international performers,” will perform live at the event along with his full band.

Friday night’s festivities conclude with the “Chef’s Party,” where New Orleans musical group Big Al and the Heavyweights will provide live entertainment.

Tickets for “Tastings Along the Mississippi River,” cost $70 when you buy in advance.

“That includes your entertainment, all your wine, all the food and an open bar,” Adams said.

The next day offers a slew of events, including “Wine and Cheese at The Castle,” behind Dunleith from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cheese experts from St. James Cheese company, based in New Orleans, will showcase some of their finest products. Castle Manager and Cocktail Consultant Mark Brockway will also provide complimentary wine pairing for the assortment of cheeses.

Those tickets cost $50, and Adams said they would sell out quickly.

Later that day, Bowie’s Tavern will host “Burgers, Brews & Bocce” from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., where visitors can get their fill of gourmet burgers and local brews for $40 a person.

Later Saturday evening an event features elegant dining experiences in three historic Natchez properties. “An Invitation to a Natchez Table” will take place at Dunleith, The Elms and The Towers, where guest chefs will team with wine sommeliers and mixologists to provide a memorable dining experience.

“Nowhere in the world could you go and get a greater meal with all these chefs that team up at different houses,” Adams said.

Tickets are $125 per person for each property. Menus for that evening can currently be viewed online for The Elms and The Towers.

Finally, the festival concludes Saturday with a “Night of Natchez Blues” at the Rolling River Bistro, which begins at 8:30 p.m. Organized by local musicians Drew David, Bubba McCabe and Brint Anderson, the night of blues will feature many New Orleans-style songs with rock and blues added into the mix. The lineup consists of a bevy of other local talent as well.

Simultaneously, chef Mitch Bratton will bring some Louisiana flavor to Natchez with “Main Street Eats on the Geaux.”

“He’s got an incredible menu that he’s doing out of an airstream trailer,” Adams said. “The whole point of this is to spread the wealth.”

This year part of the proceeds will contribute to $1,000 scholarships for both the Mississippi Tourism Association and the Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Scholarship funds for future culinary and hospitality students.

Adams said she wants not just the festival to thrive, but also the city as a whole.

“Saturday afternoon, we want to get people out and about into the shops,” Adams said.

Additionally, Adams said she plans to have some cooking demonstrations at the Natchez Farmers Market, which will also be going on that Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Adams said no event is scheduled for Sunday this year because the organizers want people to visit “many of the wonderful brunch places” Natchez has to offer.

In addition to these highlighted events, non-ticketed “free” events Saturday include tours of Old South Winery, Charboneau Distillery and The Natchez Brewing Company, and an artist reception honoring Monroe, La. artist Caroline Youngblood at Natchez Architecture and Art Discoveries.

Those interested can purchase tickets and see the full list of events with descriptions by visiting natchezfoodandwinefest.com