NATCHEZ — Natchez will have a few more characters in town in the coming weeks.

Characters in Costumes, a new addition to Fall Pilgrimage, will give those on house tours a new look at the history of some of Natchez’s houses.

Marsha Colson, executive director of Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, said it is necessary sometimes to freshen up events and this addition does just that.

“People want to have an experience when they travel,” Colson said. “They want to have a real sense of the people who lived in these houses, and this is one way we are doing that.”

Fall Pilgrimage begins Friday and continues through Oct. 15.

For Characters in Costume, hosts will dress in costuming appropriate for the story and tell visitors their stories.

“The stories won’t lengthen the house tours, but they will give visitors a new perspective on our homes and people,” Colson said.

For Fall Pilgrimage, there will be characters at Twin Oaks, The Gardens and the Joe Stone House.

At Twin Oaks the story of a Cornelia Connelly, who started a community of nuns, will resonate.

At The Gardens, visitors will hear tales from the point of view of a Union doctor from the time the house was used as a Union hospital.

A descendent will tell stories of family life at the Stone House.

“I believe we are really giving the visitors what they are seeking,” Colson said. “These are really fascinating stories.”

Other additions for Fall Pilgrimage include three day’s end diversions to cap off a day of house tours.

At Twin Oaks, chef and homeowner Regina Charboneau will host Jazz and Juleps featuring musical entertainment by Sylvia Johns Ritchie. Jazz and Juleps will take place at 5:30 on days following the pink tour.

The House on Ellicott Hill will host Mettre Appetit, which will feature a short reenactment of the first American Flag raising in the Mississippi Territory, which was at the site. A selection of appetizers with white wine and other beverage selections will be served. Mettre Appetit will be at 5:30 following the yellow tour.

Visitors can listen to a classical piano concert while sipping champagne during Champagne and Chopin at the Stone House at 5:30 following the green tour.

Tickets for these new events are $25 and available to everyone, Colson said.

“There is a limited number of tickets for each, but we invite locals and visitors to attend,” she said.

A total of 20 homes are on tour and Longwood, Rosalie, Stanton Hall, Auburn, Monmouth, Dunleith, The Towers and Melrose are open for tours.

NPT also sales tickets for The Rhythm Night Club Museum on St. Catherine Street and NAPAC museum.

Each day consists of morning tours from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and afternoon tours from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Colson said if early sales are any indication, this Fall Pilgrimage should be a busy one.

Colson said the number of group tours booked for 2010 was the same as 2009, and bed and breakfast bookings through Natchez Pilgrimage Tours are up 150 percent over last year.

“We have no way to predict how individual ticket sales will go, but I’m optimistic about this year,” she said.

NPT sells tickets for entertainment options Natchez Little Theatre’s production of “Big River” and Amos Polk’s Voices of Hope gospel concert.

“Big River” will be performed at 8 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday during Fall Pilgrimage and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10. Tickets are $15.

Amos Polk’s Voices of Hope is performed at the Carriage House each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of Fall Pilgrimage. Dinner is served at the Carriage House at 6:45 and the concert begins at 7:30. Tickets, including dinner, are $31 per person.

Colson said Fall Pilgrimage is a time for visitors to learn about the history of Natchez, but is also enjoyable for locals. She said, even after touring houses many times, she continues to learn more about the history of the houses and families.

“Our homeowners take their responsibility as historic property owners very seriously, Colson said. “They are constantly researching and learning about the families and homes and adding that into their tours.”

Tickets for three-hour tours are $24 per person, and tickets for four-house tours are $32 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center, 640 S. Canal St., by phone at 601-446-6631 or 1-800-647-6742 or online at www.natchezpilgrimage.com.