NATCHEZ — Tighten those laces and hike up those socks — it’s time to go walking.

On Saturday, 50 cities across Mississippi, including Natchez, will simultaneously participate in the “Let’s Go Walking” event.

The statewide walk is meant to encourage Mississippi residents to get involved in healthy habits and promote walking as exercise.

Sarah Rowell, a Downtown Development Association board member, helped to coordinate the event and said the entire community is invited to attend Saturday’s walk.

“The whole state’s getting together,” Rowell said. “And we want every single person in Natchez to come out.”

Rowell said taking jut 30 minutes a day to walk can help prevent obesity.

And preventing obesity will in turn help to prevent diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and even depression, Rowell said.

Saturday’s walk starts at 9 a.m., and interested participants should meet at the gazebo on the bluff.

The walking party will then follow a one-mile path through downtown and end the walk back at the gazebo.

The first 50 walkers to complete the course will receive a T-shirt.

But Rowell said the event isn’t a race. “We just want people to get out and get healthy.”