NATCHEZ — Spring Pilgrimage kicks off this weekend, but a variety of other events will keep Miss-Lou residents and visitors entertained before and after the house tours.

Showers are forecast for a majority of today and could continue throughout the weekend, but sunny skies Friday could provide a partial break to the gloomy weather.

NWTF banquet

The Miss-Lou Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host its annual fundraiser and banquet at 6 p.m. today at the Natchez Convention Center.

The dinner will feature a variety of sponsor tables and include a live auction, silent auction, raffles and more than 25 guns for auction.

The banquet also includes a variety of events for children, such as a space jump, bow and arrow range, pellet gun range and a mechanical bull.

Key Smith of NWTF said the event is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

“The National Wild Turkey Federation does a lot for the state and particularly for our area in general,” Smith said. “We’re just asking everyone to come on out and have a good time.”

Tickets for adults are $55 and includes a steak dinner.

Tickets for children are $10 and includes a hot dog and soft drink, as well as access to various games and events.

Tickets can be purchased at the convention center today.

Friday forum

This week’s topic includes a presentation from representatives discussing Leadership Natchez, Youth Leadership Natchez and Natchez Young Professionals.

The weekly forum begins at 8 a.m. at Natchez Coffee Company.

Southern Exposure

The Natchez Little Theatre will present for the 53rd year the classic 1950s romantic comedy about Natchez and the Pilgrimage, “Southern Exposure.”

“Southern Exposure” makes a little fun of Natchez Spring Pilgrimage by telling the story of Penelope Mayweather, a formerly beautiful Natchez belle trying to save her home, Mayweather Hall, from financial ruin. She takes on a boarder — John Salguod — only to hide his identity because he was the author who wrote a best-selling book that was banned in Natchez, because locals considered it libelous. The situation is further complicated when her young cousin Carol comes to spend the night.

Performances kick off at 7 p.m. Friday with a preview/benefit performance for the Natchez Lions Club. Tickets for that performance are $10 with all proceeds going to aid the local non-profit organization.

Performances continue at 7:30 p.m. every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday throughout Spring Pilgrimage, which begins Saturday and ends April 8.

Tickets for regular performances are $15 and should be reserved by calling NLT, located at 319 Linton Ave., at 601-442-2233 or online at natchezlittletheatre.org.

The box office opens an hour before each performance begins.

Spring Pilgrimage

The famous Natchez Spring Pilgrimage begins Saturday and lasts through April 8.

Tickets and maps for the Pilgrimage tours are available at Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, located in the Natchez Visitor Reception Center at 640 S. Canal St. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tours of the 24 historic houses and properties open for Spring Pilgrimage feature three houses each with a tour in the morning, 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and in the afternoon, 1:30 to 5 p.m.

Tickets for the three-house tours are $30 per adult and $18 for children ages 6 to 18.

Tickets for the six-house tours are $60 per adult and $36 for children ages 6 to 18.

Tickets for a three-house tour plus a tour of historic Longwood, Rosalie or Stanton Hall are $42 for adults and $26 for children.

Natchez Pilgrimage Tours group tours coordinator Emily Edwards said the six-house tours are a new feature this year and came at the request of visitors.

“It gives people more freedom to go to all the houses they want because you don��t have to necessarily use those in order,” Edwards said. “They could do one tour each morning over several days, and that definitely came from just talking to people and hearing what they want.”

Tickets are available only at tour headquarters. No tickets are available for individual houses, which are open only as scheduled during Spring Pilgrimage.

For more information, visit natchezpilgrimage.com or call 1-800-647-6742.

Southern Road to Freedom

Members of the Holy Family Catholic Church Gospel Choir will bring history alive at Holy Family Catholic Church beginning Saturday through “Southern Road to Freedom.”

The history of African-Americans in Natchez is told through the songs and narration of the gospel choir.

The show is presented at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday throughout Spring Pilgrimage.

Tickets are $15 per person and are available at the Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, located in the Natchez Visitor Reception Center or at the door on the night of the performance.