Principal Chief and Great Sun of the Natchez Nation Hutke Fields, center, joined the Natchez 300th birthday celebration during the opening ceremony. (Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

Principal Chief and Great Sun of the Natchez Nation Hutke Fields, center, speaks in the native language of the Natchez Indians during opening ceremony of the Natchez 300th birthday celebration. (Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

(Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

Crowds gathered under a tent and in the shade of the trees of the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians to begin the celebration of Natchez's 300th birthday Wednesday. (Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell joins the crowd during in wishing Natchez a happy birthday. (Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

(Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

Many of the people who came to the opening ceremony gathered in the shade of the trees at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians. (Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

Other people used fans to shade their faces from the sun during the ceremony. (Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

Principal Chief and Great Sun of the Natchez Nation Hutke Fields, center, joined the Natchez 300th birthday celebration during the opening ceremony. (Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

(Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

(Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

(Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)

(Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat)