Did you hear the one about the possum, the skunk and the squirrel going into a bar together? Or did you hear the one about the redneck trying to turn his truck into an airplane?

Just think about how many smiles and laughs have started from just such silly intros to jokes and funny stories.

Perhaps, next to good food, Southerners enjoy a good sense of humor better than any other place on earth.

Almost every family has the clown, that crazy uncle who tortures the children with his sarcastic wit at family reunions.

That tradition of Deep South humor is on stage this weekend at the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration’s 21st annual event.

Titled, “Humor in the Deep South,” this year’s celebration truly offers something for everyone and the delightful programs on the agenda are sure to bring a smile to your face and perhaps a great big belly laugh or two as well.

Natchez and the rest of the Miss-Lou is lucky to be home to the NLCC. For more than two decades the event has brought world-renowned scholars, authors and filmmakers to Natchez.

With each of those, come tax dollars right along with the good times and the laughs.

Best of all though most of the NLCC’s events — particularly the lectures — are free of charge and open to the public. For a complete agenda, visit www.colin.edu/nlcc.

Trust us, this year’s event is certain to tickle your funny bone and enrich your mind a bit in the process, too.