The Minorville area showed its community spirit Saturday at the seventh annual Minorville Jubilee.

A large group attended the event, which included Minor Street and nearby roads. The jubilee began with a parade down Minor Street and concluded with gospel music, speakers and water games by the Natchez Fire Department.

“It’s a way for us to commune and fellowship with each other and celebrate our heritage,” said Janice Gibson.

Gibson’s 3-year-old daughter, Jaylin Gibson, served as Little Miss Minorville for this year’s parade. Bertha Drew served as Mrs. Minorville and Tom Toles was Mr. Minorville.

“It’s good to be here,” Toles said. “I’ve lived out here all my life. It’s home to me.”

The theme of this year’s jubilee was “Let Us Commune in Brotherly Love.”

The Minorville area first began holding the jubilee to bring people together and to draw attention to its history. Minorville was originally carved out of an estate which belonged to the Minor family in the late 19th century.

Sybil Green of Minorville brought the Natchez Middle School Flag Corps to the parade. Green said spending time together is what the jubilee is about.

“It’s something like a reunion,” she said. “It’s really nice.”

Speakers included local politicians and honorary guest Dr. Pam Felder, formerly of Minorville. Felder is a professor of education at Alcorn State University and an author of several books.

“I’ve come to talk to young people to encourage (them) to dream and to dream big,” she said.

While speaking, Felder presented a inspirational message on the successes of African-Americans.

“We are today’s choice and tomorrow’s challenge,” she said. “Our success shall be continued.”

She reminded young people they needed to work hard. “You can’t go around, young people, talking and not doing,” Felder said.

Natchez Alderman George &uot;Shake Harden said Minorville is special to him because his wife grew up there.

“Minorville is very sensitive to me,” Harden said. “Minorville produced some of the best minds that I know of.”

And Natchez Alderman Theodore “Bubber” West told the crowd that improvement plans are being discussed for Minorville. The board of aldermen is working on plans to improve sidewalks and streets in the area, West said.