NATCHEZ — The forest creatures will soon be coming out of their long winter slumber to experience the first days of spring, and like many of nature’s creatures, Natchez has reached its busiest time of year.

Spring Pilgrimage officially begins Saturday and runs through April 14 with tours of some of the city’s historic houses and also two different portrayals of life in the old South.

This weekend premiers one of the Natchez Little Theatre’s oldest productions, “Southern Exposure.”

The play first took the stage in the 1950s, and its characters still dress and behave as charmingly and hilariously as they did nearly 70 years ago.

Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays at Natchez Little Theatre, located at 319 Linton Ave.

Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased by visiting www.natcheztheatre.org or by calling 601-442-2233.

Also kicking off this weekend is the Historic Natchez Tableaux, which starts at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the Natchez City Auditorium on Jefferson Street.

The tableaux has been a traditional experience in Natchez for the last 86 years and offers another glimpse of local history through music, dancing and storytelling.

Tickets start at $15 for adults and $7 for youth and can be purchased at the Natchez Visitor’s Center, online at www.natchezpilgrimage.com or by calling 800-647-6742.