NATCHEZ — Organizers of the Natchez tricentennial celebration look to honor Natchez’s history with commemorative license plates.

Tricentennial Commission Director Jennifer Ogden Combs said the Mississippi Department of Revenue will design the commemorative license plates, which will be available for pre-order Tuesday at the CVB office in the Natchez Visitor’s Center.

“We felt like it was a great opportunity to commemorate not only Natchez’s 300th birthday, but to make sure to honor the importance of Natchez and the part it plays in Mississippi’s history,” Combs said.

Combs said the Natchez Tricentennial Commission approached Mississippi legislators almost nine months ago to create the license plates.

“They took the request and approved it,” she said. “I’m grateful for the support of our legislators.”

The state requires that 300 committed orders be placed by May 15, which Combs found interesting.

“The fact that we are about to be 300 years old and need to pre-sell 300 license plates is motivating,” Combs said. “Some Natchez residents will have the chance to say they were one of the first 300 individuals to get a license plate for Natchez’s 300th birthday. You would want to be in the first batch.”

Combs said once the deadline is met, the license plates will be available by July.

Applications will soon become available online and at upcoming events such as Riverstock.

The design for the license plate will feature various colors and a logo to represent Natchez, but it’s not just for 2016.

“It’s something long-term that we all can have and cherish,” Combs said.

Those who wish to purchase a commemorative license plate can complete an application at the CVB office with a payment of $31.

The CVB office will continue to pre-sell license plates after May 15.

Proceeds will help benefit several tricentennial plans.

Combs said the commission office hopes to share a design of the license plate some time in April once it becomes available.

“It will be simple, classic and it will connect us to the state,” she said.

For more information, call the Natchez Tricentennial Commission office at 601-446-6345, ext. 42.