Since 1992 the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians has been hosting the Music At The Mounds program.

This annual free community event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The musicians and singers generously volunteer their time and talent to bring you a variety of musical styles. This year’s lineup includes some of our faithful regulars, starting off with the “Tattooed Serpent Jazz Band.” The “Sounds of Joy” will bring us traditional old-gospel favorites and “Surefire” is sure to please with country and rock oldies. “Surefire” can also be heard once a month at the Big River Jamboree held at the Natchez Shrine Club. We are happy to have “The Felters” returning this year for their second appearance on the program with country selections, and we welcome for the first time “Joyful Noise” bringing Christian rock.

As you can see, a variety of musical styles are planned and you will have a chance to experience some of the diverse talent in our area. Always included in the musical program are two Grand Village regulars, retired staff member Ivy Ray Thornton who sings with “Sounds of Joy” and bass player Jim Barnett, who organized the jazz band the first year exclusively for this program.

I invite you to come out to the “Indian Village” pavilion, bring a friend, eat lunch under the trees and enjoy some great food and music. Refreshments will be available from the Natchez Shrine Club. The use of the PA system is courtesy of Easterling Music Company of Vidalia.

The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians is located at the end of Jefferson Davis Boulevard and is a National Historic Landmark administered by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History since 1976. Call 601-446-6502 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for further information or to plan your family reunion, church picnic or school field trip. It is open year round seven days a week.

Sharon Ogden is an employee of the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.