VIDALIA, La. – A reenactment of the 1827 sandbar knife duel, a DARE fishing tournament and a street dance with Easy Eddie and the Partyrockers will be some highlights of the 12th annual Jim Bowie Festival.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 9 around the old parish courthouse on Carter Street in Vidalia.

&uot;We had about 3,000 people attend the festival last year and we’re hoping for even more than that this year, weather permitting,&uot;&160;said Linda Gardner, director of the Vidalia Chamber of Commerce.

At 11:30 a.m., a reenactment will be held of a 1827 knife duel involving Jim Bowie that, according to legend, happened on a nearby sandbar.

Several different types of music, from country, gospel and Cajun music to blues, rock and oldies, will be performed on the festival’s stages.

Booths located throughout the courthouse grounds will feature crafts and other merchandise, food of all types and children’s games such as dunking booths, ring tosses and dart throws.

And a DARE fishing tournament sponsored by the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office will be held on the same day, with judging to take place that afternoon on the old courthouse grounds.

Some changes to be made for festival-goers’ convenience include moving the country and gospel music stage so those listening to music at that stage can sit in the shade, said Dave Ragan, chairman of the chamber’s Jim Bowie Festival Committee.

&uot;We also plan to move the food booths closer to (Carter Street) to make more room for people to sit and eat,&uot; Ragan said.

The Vidalia Women’s Club will sponsor a street dance in conjunction with the festival from 8 p.m. until midnight featuring the music of local band Easy Eddie and the Partyrockers.

&uot;We’re looking for this to be the best festival yet,&uot; Ragan said.