NATCHEZ — Highland Baptist Church is hoping to set a new attendance record today in its third annual “Blessing of the Hunt” Wildlife Expo.

Bruce McCall, overseer of the expo, said there has been a gradual increase in attendance numbers since the first one in 2007.

“The first year, we had 200 people come,” McCall said. “Last year, we had 325. We’re looking to have over 400 people (today).”

The expo features 40 different sponsors, many of which will be on-hand tonight to run booths when the doors open at 6 p.m.

In addition to being able to tour the various booths, attendees will also be offered a free meal. Highland Baptist Church will be serving its guests jambalaya and red beans and rice.

At 7 p.m., the expo will begin its guest speaker session with the Youth Archery Team’s Todd Haygood. Gary Miller, founder of Outdoor Truths Ministry, will also be a guest speaker.

In addition, the Mississippi and Louisiana Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks will lead a question and answer session. Bowie Outfitters will also give demonstrations of various new products.

McCall said parents would be able to let their children go to the church’s new recreation building at 7 p.m., where expo staff members will keep them entertained.

“This is something we’re doing for the first time this year,” McCall said. “Kids will have their own entertainment and not be bored by a 30 minute talk by the game warden.

“We’re planning on having things like live snakes, iguanas and turtles for them to check out.”

Sandy Dunn, a volunteer helper for the expo, said the event is more than just an information session for hunters and fishermen.

“We’re hoping to reach the ‘un-churched’ and bring them in,” Dunn said. “One of our speakers, Gary Miller, is an avid hunter and fisherman, and will talk a lot about that, but he’ll also talk about Jesus.”

McCall also stressed the event serving as an opportunity to reach out to people that wouldn’t normally attend church.

“Last year we had 56 people either rededicate their lives to Jesus or get saved for the first time,” McCall said.

When looking at how much the expo has grown, McCall said the increase in sponsorship and advertising are two things that have stood out to him since the first event in 2007.

“Everything is becoming more well-known,” McCall said. “Word of mouth helps advertise it.

“Our sponsors have increased by 25 percent this year, too.”

The expo will be free of charge, and visitors will be encouraged to fill out response cards asking how much they enjoyed the event and if they have any suggestions for improvement.