With just a month before Natchez celebrates its birthday on Aug. 3, excitement is building.

Plans call for a street party and commemoration ceremonies during the event. But perhaps most special on that day will be the official, public unveiling of the Natchez National Historical Park’s newest location, the site of the former Fort Rosalie.

This site is important because in many ways, it’s where modern Natchez began.

Sitting high atop the Natchez bluff, the fort served as an outpost for the early French colonists here.

After literally decades of the land effectively sitting idle with only a few sparse inhabitants, the fort site will again be open to the public on Aug. 3.

Although much work remains, even from a passing motorist’s view, the site is impressive. We know the National Park Service will eventually do great things at the site to preserve the location for the future and to allow the public to learn more about the area’s unique history.

The countdown to Natchez’s 300th birthday party is under way, and we cannot wait to take part in the celebration, the fun and the coming together as a community that should be the priority of the event.