NATCHEZ &045; A drop in temperature didn’t chill the spirit of unity and community at Natchez’ first Crepe Myrtle Festival Saturday.

The day’s events included a karate exhibition, putt-putt golf, space walk, and cheerleader competition in Memorial Park.

Jim Rourke, president of Concerned Citizens for Natchez Tourism, said the festival was conceived not only to promote tourism, but also to foster a sense of togetherness.

&uot;I really believe that we will never be a great town until we all learn to come together more,&uot; he said.

Although the new festival is the brainchild of Rourke, he feels that true credit lies elsewhere.

&uot;It was really God that put this together. He gave us the right mayor and the right pastor to help us in Father David O’Conner,&uot; he said.

Rourke said O’Conner had been a blessing by promoting the festival in the parish bulletin and lending a hand, despite having two weddings and two masses scheduled for the same day.

Around the park several organizations had set up display tables to inform parents of local activities available to children in the area.

Matilda Stevens, also an organizer, said she thought the education the booths were providing was an important part of the festival.

&uot;We wanted to make this more than just a fun event for the kids. We wanted information for parents here who want to get their kids involved,&uot; she said.

The Adams County Youth Court Families First table had children busy writing with glue, glitter and colored makers on cardboard, making Christmas cards to be mailed to soldiers serving in Iraq.

&uot;I have a stepson and a cousin over there so it really makes me feel good to watch these kids doing this,&uot; said Mary Kay Doherty, who was minding the table.

At the 4-H Club’s table, Hattie Kelley and Birdie Wade said they were a bit chilly but were happy to be at the festival.

&uot;We want to be here doing anything we can for the children. It’s cool. It’s chilly. My sinuses are acting up, but I don’t mind,&uot; Wade said.

Cheerleaders, huddled together in blankets waiting their turn to compete, seemed to be taking the cold weather in similar good spirits.

&uot;It would be worth it if I get sick as long as we win,&uot; ACCS junior high cheerleader Megan Buckles said.

ACCS cheerleaders won the junior high and high school dance competitions. Vidalia High School won the high school cheer competition, and Robert Lewis Middle School won the middle school cheer competition.

Many festival-goers liked the event’s spirit of reaching out to the community by sponsoring activities like the cheerleading competition.

&uot;I see this becoming a bigger and bigger event in the future. I like the idea of getting everyone together from the private schools and the public schools as a community,&uot; said Karen Linton, who had come to watch her daughter, Becky, compete.

Rourke said he was pleased with the turnout, even though the weather was less than corporative.

&uot;People may say ‘Why are you having this in November?’ I tell them that November is a great time to plant crepe myrtles, and it’s a great time to plant the spirit of unity, which is what this is really all about,&uot; he said.

The festival continued with a free concert by Maggie Brown and street dance on Main Street Saturday night.