NATCHEZ &045; Knock on antique wood, but local business owners &045; as well as those whose business revolves around Pilgrimage &045; said this year’s Spring Pilgrimage is, so far, one of the best they’ve seen in years.

As of earlier this week, group tour house ticket sales were up about 15 percent at Natchez Pilgrimage Tours and individual sales were also up by double-digit percentages compared to last year’s Spring Pilgrimage.

In addition, the Historic Natchez Pageant has seen four sell-out nights, and other Pilgrimage entertainment shows have also seen an increase in attendance, said NPT Marketing Director John Saleeby.

&uot;Moving Pilgrimage back a week has been a factor, and the weather itself has been beautiful,&uot; Saleeby said of the annual event, which started March 13 and continues through April 17.

The tourism industry, he said, is also recovering from the effects of a poor nationwide economy and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as well as, in recent years, wet spring weather. In addition, the Delta Queen steamboats have returned to Natchez after a post-bankruptcy hiatus of more than one year, NPT has tried some new regional marketing efforts in recent months, and the antebellum house Longwood, long a popular attraction, is now open every day of Pilgrimage instead of a select few.

&uot;The steamboats are up to 75 to 80 percent of the capacity they’ve been in the past,&uot; said Tourism Director Walter Tipton, adding that events like the Delta Music Festival in Ferriday, La., and Blues Festival in Natchez should also keep tourists coming into the area through this month.

Last year’s Spring Pilgrimage ticket sales were 5 percent higher than the previous springs, &uot;and if we can end up with another increase this spring, I’ll perceive we’ve found the bottom,&uot; Saleeby said. What are all these visitors doing for business? Downtown businesses &uot;say this has been a very good Pilgrimage, with a lot more people and a lot more buses than they’ve seen&uot; in past years, said Tammi Mullins, executive director of the Natchez Downtown Development Association and co-owner of the City Cafe.

Other restaurant owners also bore that out.

&uot;This (Spring Pilgrimage) is probably one of the best I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been here five years,&uot; said Peter Trosclair, owner of Biscuits and Blues.

&uot;We’ve been packed on weekends, especially,&uot; said Joe Downs, general manager of Fat Mama’s Tamales. &uot;On the days the boats come in, we’re really packed then. (Co-owner Britton Gammill) said it’s one of the best Pilgrimages she’s seen in years.&uot;

Owners and managers of other downtown businesses agreed. &uot;Business is definitely up, and we’re getting traffic not only from boats and buses, but people who drive in. They’re buying a little bit of everything,&uot; said Cheryl LeBlanc, manager of the Sun, Moon and Stars gift shop.

&uot;We have to wait until Pilgrimage is over to say for sure,&uot; said Darby’s Gifts co-owner Dennis Short, &uot;but so far, business is definitely up.&uot;