We’ve planned a spectacular Fourth of July weekend for Natchez. Please come out and join us so we can celebrate the birth of our nation together.

On Friday, July 4, we will have a downtown art walk from 5 to 8 p.m.

It will start at Franklin and/or Main and Union Streets and walk around the historic downtown heading to the bluff. Participating merchants have blinking lights and balloons outside their shops to signify artists and their works inside their shops. There will be free refreshments and a fun time.

Starting at 8 p.m. come out to enjoy a fabulously fun-filled, family evening at the Bluff. Bowie’s Tavern is serving up streetside beer, wine, hot dogs and hamburgers. There’s live music to fill the air with that partying atmosphere. Two blocks of Broadway Street will be closed off (the block in front of Bowie’s Tavern and the block in front of Country Inn & Suites) where there will be tables and chairs set up outside so you can come, relax, kick back and enjoy the music, fun, food and drink while you celebrate the birth of our nation with family and friends.

At approximately 9 p.m. the spectacular fireworks show begins on Ole Man River that’s even bigger and better this year.

All day Saturday is a great day to shop in downtown Natchez. Shop until you drop all day at our fabulously cool downtown shops and eat at any of our incredibly delicious downtown restaurants.

From noon to 4 enjoy the ambiance of Natchez’ beautiful historical district while listing to soulful tunes from local artist/musician, Brandon McCranie and guitarist, Casey Gilbert, who will be performing live on the corner of Main and Commerce streets.

From 7 to 8 p.m. we want to keep the fun coming by playing a little pre-movie music where the movie will be shown — on the corner of Commerce and Main.

At 8 p.m. top off your evening with Downtown Night at the Movies. Admission is free. This month — to celebrate our nation’s birth on this holiday weekend — we’re showing an action, adventure, science-fiction, fantasy film on a giant movie screen in front of the Historical Natchez Foundation building at 108 South Commerce. Pack a “picnic” or buy refreshments when you get here — we’ll have them ready for you!

We’re putting out the tables and candlelight, so bring a chair to relax in or rent one from us for $1. Don’t worry about the mosquitoes — we’re taking care of those pesky critters.

So, come join Natchez Downtown for a First Friday weekend this national holiday on July 4. Hope to see you there.

Carrie Lambert is the director of the Natchez Downtown Development Association.