Natchez — The grandeur and history of the Historic Natchez Pageant is nothing new to Will Godfrey. The 21-year-old Natchez native grew up wearing the confederate soldier’s uniform as a page and will again button up the gray jacket when he reigns as 2008 Natchez Garden Club king.

“I’ve grown up playing many different roles in the pageant,” Godfrey said. “Working backstage for years helped me to learn a lot about the pageant and Natchez.”

“He has always been a part of pageant,” said Godfrey’s mother, Laura Godfrey. “He has always enjoyed it and was always enthusiastic about it. When he served as page as a boy, the first thing he said was, ‘does this mean I get to be king?’”

From Little Maypole participant to Showboat wheelroller, Will has done it all. His pageant résumé includes The Indian, Frontiersman, Picnic, Polka, The Hunt and American Flag bearer. It seems there is very little about the pageant that Will isn’t familiar with and that may be one reason he was chosen as king.

“I’ve been involved pretty much every year with pageant,” he said. “That, and my mom being so active in garden club is probably why I was chosen. It’s such a great honor to be king.”

The University of Mississippi junior said he loves Natchez and takes pride in representing the Natchez Garden Club in the pageant.

“I enjoy doing all of this,” he said. “Pageant is a big deal for this city and I’m honored to be able to come back and serve as king.”

Like most of the court, the Historic Natchez Pageant is a family affair for Will. His cousin served as king and his aunt was once queen. His father, Ed Godfrey, also served in the pageant court.

“It just runs in his blood,” said Laura, who will celebrate her 25th year with the garden club this year.

Along with his pageant lineage, Godfrey also brings an authentic Civil War era sword to the pageant. He will carry the sword his great-great-great grandfather used in battle during the Civil War. Will will also wear the general’s uniform that his cousin wore while reigning as pageant king.

“His great-great-great grandfather fought with that sword,” Laura said. “Dad has had it all these years and told me about it when Will was chosen king. He told me that Will had to carry this sword.”

Laura took the sword to an expert to inquire about cleaning it, but was told it was more valuable in its original condition.

“It doesn’t look very good,” she said. “But it’s a real sword.”

While pageant will keep Will busy for the next week, most of his days are spent in the classroom at Ole Miss. The political science major said he wasn’t sure exactly what he will do after graduation, but hopes to work in politics.

Will has gotten an early start on his political career, working for Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama in Chicago last summer. He served as a finance intern for Obama’s campaign and regularly met with the Illinois senator.

“I loved doing that work,” he said. “I was able to attend several campaign events and really learned the ins and outs of running a campaign at that level.”

Regardless of where the world of politics takes him, Will said he would like to move back to his hometown one day.

“Natchez is such a different and unique place,” he said. “I just love this place and I hope to return one day to do what I can to make sure this unique way of life stays the same.”

Will’s love of Natchez is obvious and Laura said he promotes the city everywhere he goes.

“No matter where he is, he tells people about this city,” she said. “He really loves Natchez. He always has that Natchez pin on.”