NATCHEZ &045; Both of Mississippi’s major gubernatorial candidates will be in town this week as the campaign heads toward its final days.

Republican Haley Barbour will be at a fish fry from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at the Ramada Inn.

Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove will be in Natchez Friday while on a statewide campaign tour, but officials with his campaign office did not know Tuesday where the public event would take place.

Barbour’s event is free to the public, campaign spokesman Quinton Dickerson said.

&uot;It’s a way for people to come and meet Haley,&uot; Dickerson said. &uot;It will be an informal event.&uot;

Today also happens to be the candidate’s 56th birthday.

&uot;He’ll talk about key issues,&uot; Dickerson said. &uot;He’s focusing on job creation, the need for more lawsuit reform, the need for strong leadership.&uot;

Both candidates have appeared in Natchez a few times since heavy campaigning began.

The candidates on Monday took part in their final debate before the Nov. 5 general election.

Barbour and Musgrove have jousted over the tone of the race so far, with both candidates accusing each other of avoiding the issues.

Barbour said Monday that Musgrove is &uot;running from his record,&uot; while the governor attacked Barbour’s record as a Washington, D.C., lobbyist.

After that verbal sparring, both candidates talked about taxes &045; neither wants an increase &045; and civil justice reform &045; Barbour wants to see more, and Musgrove noted he is the only governor to call a special session on torn reform.