NATCHEZ — The track scene in Natchez has taken a step up from last year thanks to Charlie Floyd, Natchez High School athletic director Fred Butcher and Natchez-Adams school district school board member Dr. Benny Wright.

Last year, Natchez High School was the host of the sub-district Junior Olympic track meet, but that exposure was just the tip of the iceberg for Floyd, Butcher and Wright.

Due to their hard work and dedication, Natchez High School will be the host of the 2013 USATF Region 6 Junior Olympic Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

“We had to go to Baton Rouge to put our bid in,” Floyd said. “Last year it was such a good turn out and everybody loved the facilities at Natchez High, so we wanted to bring the event back.”

Floyd said this meet consist of elite runners of all ages from all over Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee.

These athletes have made it through the district championships, and are now competing to go to the National Junior Olympics Championship in Greensboro, N.C.

The region 6 championships start on July 4th, beginning with the multi-events at 8 a.m. and continuing on the 5th at 8 a.m. Floyd said both of these days will last half a day.

Multi-events are competitions in which athletes participate in a number of track and field events, earning points for their performance in each event, which adds to a total points score.

The track events will begin at 8 a.m. on July 6, and Floyd said that is when all the fun beings as well.

“It is going to be a track extravaganza,” he said. “There will be a parade and a few guest Olympic runners will be there, too.”

Butcher said he sees the parade being a grand event that showcases Natchez to the fullest.

“We want to do it like the grand opening for the Olympics,” Butcher said.

Most importantly, Floyd said he thinks this track meet will be great revenue for the city.

“We really want people to come out and support this event because it brings in a lot of money to the city,” Floyd said.

Butcher said there are already signs that show that this event will bring in revenue to the city.

“Because people are coming from four different states to compete in this event, quite a few hotels will be filled up, and restaurants will be very busy,” Butcher said.

Butcher said there is only one more thing he asks of the people of Natchez.

“I want everyone in Natchez to show great hospitality to all of the visitors,” Butcher said. “We want them to come back to Natchez again.”

Admission for each day for the 2013 USATF Region 6 Junior Olympic Outdoor Track and Field Championships is $6.