NATCHEZ — The Natchez Bed & Breakfasts Association invites locals and tourists to cool-off and relax at this year’s Natchez Summer Wine and Dine TourFest.

The three-day event will offer attendees a wonderful selection of foods, beverages, entertainment and tours while showcasing the Southern hospitality of the Natchez Bed & Breakfast community.

The Aug. 9-11 event will be hosted at seven local B&B venues, offering a great opportunity to visit historic Natchez homes not normally open to the public, a news release about the event said.

Sponsored by the Natchez Bed & Breakfast Association (NBBA) and supported by VisitNatchez Tourism, Natchez Summer Wine and Dine TourFest can be booked by individual venue or as a package.

The three-day event begins at 7 p.m. on Aug. 9, with a Wine and Cheese Soiree hosted by Dan Gibson of the new Stanton Guest House and Concert Hall. Attendees will celebrate the opening of this new venue and enjoy well-known Birmingham vocalist Kristi Tingle Higginbotham, Natchez’s own David Troutman on violin and Terry Trovato Trio performing a medley of standards, jazz, classical and tunes from the Old South. Featured will be pairings of delectable wines and cheeses. Location is at 411 N. Commerce Street.

The event continues from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 10 at Linden Antebellum B&B with a tour and period-accurate brandy milk punch and cheese straws hosted by Jeanette and Marjorie Feltus.

Linden is a Federal-style antebellum home occupied by the Feltus Family since 1849. The Doorway at Linden was known to be replicated as Scarlett’s house, Tara, in “Gone with the Wind.” The event will include a tour of the home as you. The location is 1 Conner Circle.

Saturday events continue with a progressive dinner from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at three historic Natchez homes. Guests will be served a drink and a dish at each home, with the opportunity to take a house tour also included. Appetizers will be served 5-6 p.m. with a tour at the Natchez Guest House hosted by Sean and Rachel Casey at 201 N Pearl St. Dinner service and tour follow from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Sunnyside B&B hosted by Colleen Wilkins at 102 Rembert St. Natchez Blues musician Y.Z. Ealey will accompany the dinner service at Sunnyside. The progressive dinner will be completed with dessert service and tour from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Magnolia Cottage B&B hosted by Jackie & Joe Wild at 35 Homochitto St. A Greek revival house completed in 1831, Director of Natchez Historic Foundation touted this home in his travels as one Natchez’s interesting landmarks with a one of a kind front porch. Desert entertainment will be provided by Dave Troutman, violinist.

Participants may alternatively choose an elegant four-course dinner on Saturday at Monmouth Historic Inn & Gardens, a small luxury Antebellum mansion hotel with a fine dining experience. The dinner is hosted by Nancy Reuther complete with wine pairings for each course, live music, and a tour of the antebellum home and gardens at 1358 John A Quitman Blvd.

Our Natchez Summer Wine and Dine TourFest concludes on Sunday with a Jazz brunch at Devereaux Shields House B&B hosted by Ron and Eleanor Fry at 709 N Union St. Participants may grab food and beverages and enjoy jazz while touring a complex of multiple Victorian houses and gardens including previews of an ongoing renovation of an adjacent historic 1890s Bost Architect home. An easy walk to the heart of historic Natchez this B&B offers guests a choice between luxurious and spacious two-room suites to gracious period décor king or queen rooms. Music will be performed by four-piece band including the Jazz Group of Terry Trovato Trio (bass guitar, piano, drums) accompanied by Ernie Moore on the saxophone performing a medley of tunes from the Old South.

For Tickets go to https://bontempstix.com/organizations/natchez-bandb Package tickets for the entire event are available here https://bontempstix.com/organizations/3253/packages

Those who purchase of a discounted three-day event ticket will have their name put in a drawing for a weekend in Natchez at one of the local B&Bs.

For more information, visit www.natchezmsbandb.com or contact President Jackie Wild at 35 Homochitto St, Natchez, MS 39120 or call (601) 807-5260

Founded in 2012, the NBBA founded has become an active contributor to the Natchez community. The association’s more than 25 members represent the best in Natchez and follow a code of high standards and ethics, the news release said.

The NBBA is currently guided by President Jackie Wild, Vice President Ronald Fry, Secretary Rachel Casey and Treasurer Troy Bickford. The Association is a non-profit, voluntary organization of professionally run Bed and Breakfasts located in the city and close proximity to the city limits. NBBA is a networking group of owners and operators who share information to provide high-quality service to guests and a respected voice on the Bed & Breakfast industry.