NATCHEZ — Orange Avenue in Natchez was alive with activity Saturday at the annual fall festival at Holy Family Early Learning Center.

Hip-hop and Motown tunes thumped under a cloudless sky, as the smoke from grilling chicken wafted across the schoolyard filled with children, parents and grandparents.

Shenikka Bradley’s daughter Justice Sylvester has attended Holy Family Early Learning Center for three years. Bradley said her mother also attended the school, and the family supports the fall festival every year.

“We love this school,” Bradley said. “I love the foundation to get her ready for elementary school.”

Margaret Matthews of Natchez had her granddaughters, Zoey and Zamia Washington, in tow. The girls played games while Matthews watched.

“The kids really look forward to the festival,” Matthews said. “And Zamia stays on the honor roll at Holy Family — straight As.”

This weekend is big at Holy Family. The school is subsequently celebrating 90 years of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate working and teaching at the school. Seven sisters traveled back to Natchez from their base in San Antonio for the special weekend.

Sister Martha Readore arrived early. She taught for one year at Holy Family in the 1980s.

“It was a beautiful experience,” Readore said. “There are beautiful people here.”

Festival coordinator Faye Barnes, who also works at Holy Family Early Learning Center, said the weekend is like a double-homecoming, with the annual fall festival and then two special Mass services for the nuns at the church.

“Thanks to the sisters for a job well done,” Barnes said. “They educated a lot of students, and I was one of them. We have a lot to celebrate.”

The Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary worked to prepare the chicken plates sold at the festival. N. Jenette Wilson, grand lady of the auxiliary, said the Holy Family Gospel Choir purchased the food.

All funds raised at the fall festival are used for school operations.