By Julie Cooper

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — You might want to skip dinner tonight.

Or at least breakfast in the morning.

The annual Markets Food and Lifestyle Show is back in town, and the free samples will be waiting.

Approximately 30 vendors will set up booths on the floor of the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center for Saturday and Sunday.

Their booths will provide information, goodies, food and more to thousands of Miss-Lou residents.

The doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Customers at any of The Markets who purchase $25 in groceries will receive two free tickets while supplies last.

Tickets will also be sold at the convention center doors for $3.

The biggest change about the show this year is the location, Supermarket Operations retail director Barry Loy said.

“We (have stores on) both sides of the river, and the communities are kind of joined at the hip, so we decided to go over there,” Loy said. “Most people cross that bridge like it’s not anything.”

The show has been stationed in Natchez for its decade-long existence, but Vidalia got the nod this year.

The show was originally started to give back to the community, Loy said.

“We wanted to show them the new product offerings available every year,” he said.

“We wanted to show what we at The Markets have to offer and let them know what we are and what we stand for.”

Vendors this year will include Blue Bell Creameries, Pepsi Cola, Community Coffee, Frito Lay, Golden Flake, John Morrell Foods, Kraft Foods, Coca-Cola, Reily Foods, Sara Lee and Zatarain’s among others.

Though many of the vendors are national food product providers, several local businesses and groups will also be represented, including Natchez Monument, Natchez Little Theatre and Mul Sul Kwan.

In addition to the food, home and health vendors, local youth and other entertainers will be performing throughout the weekend.

The entertainment will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday with Hux and Harper. Shows will continue in approximately 30-minute cycles throughout the day. Other performances will be by the Kids Impact Puppetteers, Apostles Creed, the Highland Highlighters Dramatic Interpretation Team, Paul Sutherland and Hannabelle and the Cowboys Blues Band, among others.

Sunday entertainment will include Brandon Mcranie, Chris Cavette, the Trinity Dance Team and several returning performers from Saturday.

Raffles and door prizes will keep things exciting all weekend.