A year ago the playground was empty.

The aged swings and slides were torn down and worn out monkey bars and merry-go-round were removed.

Today, a new set of eight swings with wide, safe fall zones, and an adjustable, break-away basketball goal are in place at Natchez Children’s Home Services.

The youngsters enjoy their new play area every day!

Now the play unit for young children is on the drawing board and needs funding to bring it alive.

To that end, 15 celebrity entertainers and sports figures will descend upon Natchez Sunday, for the annual Celebrity Players Tour event to help raise additional monies for the next phase of playground construction.

Rick Rhoden, leading money winner on the Celebrity Players Tour and current Senior Tour member will join Hall of Fame punter Ray Guy, Major League Baseball umpires Joe West and Greg Bonin, former major league pitchers Ralph Terry and Shane Rawley, New Orleans Saints scout Mike Siani, three-time world long drive champion Sean Fister, trick shot artist Buddy Shelton, comedian Scott Henry, musician Rick Seratte and tennis great Cliff Ritchie.

Natchez Community Hospital and United Mississippi Bank are sponsoring this year’s benefit which begins with a pairings party and Tommy Geoghegan prime rib dinner at Beau Pré Country Club at 5 p.m. Sunday. Extra dinner tickets are available to the public at Beau Pré or the Natchez Children’s Home for $25.

The Grand Soleil Resort will play host to a country music and comedy jam session and auction Sunday evening at 7 in the brand new ballroom at 130 John R. Junkin Drive.

Come get an early look at the newest hotel in Natchez and bid on great Christmas gifts such as a Redneck Adventures squirrel hunt, Major League Baseball tickets, jewelry, gift baskets, a signed Norman Rockwell print, a hand-crafted clock, signed baseballs, jerseys, golf clubs, autographed movie scripts, gift certificates, pottery, hybrid golf club, bed and breakfast weekends and much more.

At 10 a.m. Monday at Beau Pré Country Club, Buddy Shelton and Sean Fister will entertain the public with a trick shot demonstration.

Four-man teams will tee-off with a celebrity at 11:45 a.m. Awards and a prize board drawing will round out the afternoon.

Last year’s event raised almost $18,000 for our children’s playground — come join the fun at the Grand Soleil and Beau Pré Country Club.

For information on participation, call myself or Joe Mitchell at 601-442-6858 or e-mail info@ntzchs.org.

Nancy Hungerford is the director of the Natchez Children’s Home.