NATCHEZ — Many volunteer organizations and sponsors have united to continue a 27-year-old annual community tradition this Saturday — the Minorville Jubilee.

The celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday on a piece of the property historically known as Minorville in the 50th block of Minor Street.

Felicia Irving, chairman of Minorville Jubilee Inc., said the tradition started with a small group of people with a vision to help youth in the community with their back-to-school needs.

Irving said the overall goal of the event now is to raise funds for the creation of a center that will offer tutoring services, resume and interview workshops and even help people obtain diplomas.

“Our goal is to help our community come together, unite and move our community forward,” Irving said.

Several community members and organizations have volunteered to be a part of the festivities, including the representatives from the Natchez VA Medical Clinic, Mississippi State Department of Health and Families First Resource Center.

Concordia Bank and three other anonymous sponsors have provided enough funds for a food truck with enough groceries to feed 300 people, Irving said, and food will be distributed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors with snow cones, cotton candy and other treats also will be on site.

More sponsors have donated back-to-school supplies — backpacks, notebooks, crayons, glue and more — that will be disbursed at no cost.

Irving said Saturday’s agenda includes a list of fun activities for people of all ages to enjoy, including face painting, arts and crafts, bingo and fun in the water provided by the Natchez Fire Department from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Meanwhile a photographer and recent graduate from Vidalia High School, Bryce Johnson, will document the day.

“Everyone in the family will have something to participate in,” Irving said.

Nurses have volunteered to do blood pressure checks while a mobile unit will provide free physical exams on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Street and Minor Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“This is our 27th year, and we’re growing,” Irving said.
It’s all about bringing family friends and community together. … I’m hoping all will come out. Bring your chairs, bring your hats and be a part of the Minorville Jubilee.”