By Mary Kathryn Carpenter

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Expand your cookbook with healthy choices, celebrate the talent the Miss-Lou has to offer or find your new best friend during this jam-packed weekend.

Thunderstorms are likely throughout the weekend with high temperatures in the upper 80s.

Natchez Little Theatre 11th Annual Standing Ovation Awards

Join the stars of the Miss-Lou Saturday night as they receive recognition during a fundraiser for the Natchez Little Theatre.

The Standing Ovation Awards Gala will begin with a complementary bar and hors d’oeuvres as well as a silent and live auction featuring an excursion with the Redneck Adventures team and a football signed New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley at 6 p.m.

At 7 p.m., live performances highlighting the 66th season musicals and the presentation of 27 awards to volunteers within the theater program will begin.

“This is our 82nd year of entertainment and this past season we had over 300 volunteers,” said artistic and executive director Layne Taylor. “This is just a great part to celebrate a great group of people.”

The gala will be hosted at Natchez Little Theatre, located at 319 Linton Ave., at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $20 apiece. They can be reserved by calling 601-442-2233 or by visiting natchezlittletheatre.org.

Extension Awareness Day Fruit and Vegetable Festival

Enjoy fresh, health conscience recipes prepared with local ingredients Saturday at Alcorn’s Extension Health Awareness Day.

Local cooks will provide a medley of fresh, healthy recipes including pastas, vegetables and fresh juices free to sample.

Copies of the recipes will also be provided.

“We are taking fresh produce and serving it in a healthy way,” said Natchez Farmer’s Market marketing coordinator Helen Brooks. “Then, if you like it, you can find some of the fresh ingredients (at the farmer’s marker) and take them and the recipe home and make it yourself.”

The festival will be hosted from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the farmer’s market, located at 199 St. Catherine St.

There is no admittance fee.

Kitten and Cat Adoption

The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society will be at the Natchez Mall Theater entrance hosting a kitten and cat adoption from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Adopt two kittens or cats for $35 or one for $35.

The adoption fee includes spaying or neutering.