By SABRINA SIMMS

 

NATCHEZ — The community has a lot of ways to celebrate together this weekend during the first Miss-Lou Heritage and Soul Festival, a Natchez Juneteenth celebration.

The Juneteenth celebration kicked-off Monday evening during an opening ceremony at Forks of the Road, where, Jarita Frazier, event coordinator and treasurer, said approximately 35 to 40 people — members of New Direction Ministry, Master Gardeners, Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell and others, blacks and whites, gathered to commemorate the long road to freedom.

“It was a nice crowd and a nice event, and we expect for it to grow from here,” Frazier said. “I was glad to see that we had so many men there. … We need more male leadership role models in the community.”

The Juneteenth celebration is far from over. From 7 to 10 p.m. Friday night on the Natchez bluff, locals can show off their singing talents during a free karaoke challenge and networking mixer.

Frazier said business owners are invited to set up promotional booths for a $5 donation and local businesses that would like to participate can contact her or sign up during the event.

“I’ve talked to at least 15 different business owners who are excited about it and said they would come out,” she said.

Frazier said next-generation entrepreneurs are setting up for the Kids Market Saturday morning, where children of all ages can set up their own booths to sell food and crafts of their creation for pocket change.

Frazier said the goal of the Kids Market is for parents to set up a bank account for their children and teach them wise, money management habits.

The Kids Market will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the Martin Luther King Jr. Triangle at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. and St. Catherine streets.

From noon to 10 p.m. Saturday on the bluff, local gospel and blues artists will entertain attendees as they enjoy food vendors and games ticketed at $5 for children and $10 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at etix.com or at the gate.

Frazier said four different teams of three to five people have already signed up for the backyard barbeque cooking challenge. The cost is $200 per team to participate and additional vending booths will be provided to each team, she said.

“We’re planning for two to three hundred people (overall),” Frazier said. “What I’m looking forward to about Saturday is that it’s a good family-oriented event. … Bring your tents, bring your coolers and bring your chairs.”

She said locals could celebrate Father’s Day at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Natchez City Auditorium with the Love and Laughter comedy show, hosted by Natchez native, Delvie Gales. The Show features “Shaddy Feel Good,” “Comedian Q” and “RED” with local blues artist Emerson Hill. Tickets start at $30 each and can be purchased on etix.com

For more information, or to register for events, call Frazier at 601-807-1008.