NATCHEZ &045;&045;Even though she now lives in another part of Natchez, Josie Edwards has attended the Minorville Jubilee every year since it started 11 years ago.

Ask her why, and a smile spreads over her face. &uot;It’s just …special,&uot; she said.

True, this year’s Jubilee had plenty of activities, music and food for the entire family.

And young and old were all smiles as they marched down Minor Street to the event site, lead by Mr., Mrs. and Miss Minorville and a marching band with members from Alcorn State and Natchez High.

But many of those who attended Saturday’s event said the best part was enjoying the day with old friends, sharing a sense of community.

Minorville native Annette Holt and her 4-year-old daughter, Renette Evans, came all the way from Montgomery, Ala., to attend the Jubilee.

&uot;I wanted her to be a part of this,&uot; said Holt, referring to her daughter, who was dressed as a cheerleader to march in the parade.

And just as you never forget Minorville, it never forgets you, attendees said.

For example, this year’s Mrs. Minorville, Mary Williams, lived in the neighborhood until she moved into an apartment in 2000.

But friends from the community still contact and visit her regularly, said Williams’ daughter, Linda Cruell.

&uot;She still loves everybody in the area,&uot; Cruell said.

Beside her were Mr. Minorville, Wilson Jackson &045;&045; who has lived in Minorville since 1945 and whose family operated a store there for many years &045;&045; and Little Miss Minorville, Roshanda Cade.

&uot;Some say Minorville is a group of houses or plots of land. Some say it’s an attitude of care, of concern, a way of doing things,&uot; said the day’s moderator, Justice Court Judge Mary Toles.

&uot;I say Minorville is all of you together,&uot; Toles said.

The crowd also showed unity on a larger scale from dressing in red, white and blue and having a moment of silence to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

Having an annual Jubilee is important because it brings the community together to celebrate its rich history, organizer Burnett Bridgewater has said.

The event was started when citizens of the area such as Bridgewater, Carolyn Smith and Katie Ruth Moore and Alderman Theodore &uot;Bubber&uot; West, West said Saturday.

&uot;The concept was developed … to clean up the community and have a day to come together,&uot; West said. &uot;It started small and snowballed into what you see today.&uot;

Good things are happening in Natchez and in Minorville in particular, from lower crime to a planned project to improve Minor Street and install sidewalks and parking, West said.