NATCHEZ — To some, a room full of weaponry may be something to run from.

But to the avid collectors involved in the Natchez Bowie Knife Show, it’s something to flock to.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, collectors from all over the country will be at the Natchez Convention Center displaying their antique knives and guns.

Mike Worley, one of the founders of the show, along with Logan Sewell, said for the dealers, it’s all about buying, selling and trading.

Tables, 102 of them to be exact, have been sold to the collectors to be used to display their collections.

“We give awards for displays and knives,” Worley said.

This year, the Antique Bowie Knife Association is hosting its meeting in conjunction with the event.

This is the first year the two events have come together.

Worley said that’s because this event is at the center of the collecting world.

“It’s a must do show amongst the collectors,” Worley said. “All the big name Bowie knife collectors make the show now.”

From its humble genesis five years ago, the event has grown exponentially.

Sewell said it all began when he and Worley were at a Antique Bowie Knife Association meeting when they decided to bring the collectors to Natchez.

“Together we just decided that Natchez would be a good home for it,” he said.

Attendance was sparse at the first show in 2004.

“We started with very few numbers,” Sewell said.

Worley said the meeting was at Bowie’s Tavern and only 25 display tables were sold.

For the numbers to quadruple in five years is impressive.

“It’s gotten pretty big,” Worley said. “It’s a really nice deal, we really enjoy it.”

Though they sell the tables and admission to Saturday’s show is $5 at the door, Worley said all of the money goes to paying for the event.

The true heart of the show is not about making money, but celebrating the 1827 sandbar fight of Jim Bowie that led to the infamous Bowie knife.

Worley encouraged even the non-collectors to come by on Saturday.

“There are some wonderful things, gun and knife items, antiques,” he said. “There are a lot of things that are one of a kind on display.”

Even if the weaponry is disinteresting, he said the history should be a draw since the fight happened in the area.

“Natchez people seem to be really aware of the battle,” he said.