NATCHEZ — As autumn eases into the Miss-Lou, residents have plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy it — especially this weekend with several family events lined up.

Delta Music Festival

The 2011 Delta Music Festival in Ferriday will provide fun for all ages from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in Ferriday on Louisiana Avenue.

For admittance of $3 each, families can enjoy arts and crafts, food and of course toe-tapping tunes all day. The musical stage will be set up in front of Delta Bank.

Museum Director Judith Bingham said the music is truly the biggest draw.

“We have a fantastic lineup this year,” Bingham said.

Acts include legendary guitarist James Burton, the Hemphills, Vince Hutchinson and Heavy Storm Band, Slow Ride and a talent show.

Burton and the Hemphills will be inducted into the Delta Music Museum Hall of Fame.

Bingham said Jason D. Williams has a big following in the Miss-Lou.

“He is not a Jerry Lee Lewis impersonator, but he looks like Jerry, plays like Jerry and sings like Jerry — and he has Jerry’s antics when he is singing and playing.”

Bingham said food items for sale will include kabobs, barbecue and hot tamales.

This year, a kid’s zone will be offered to youngsters who might not be big “blues heads.” Bingham said there will be a jumper and puppet shows for kids.

Bingham added that folks should bring their lawn chairs and get ready to enjoy sunny skies and 85-degree temperatures.

“It’s perfect festival weather,” Bingham said.

The Miss-Lou Celebrates America

Sunday’s focus will be on music as well with The Miss-Lou Celebrates America — A Patriotic Concert from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Vidalia Amphitheatre.

Organizers said the purpose of this event is to pay tribute to those who lost their lives and their family members on the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.

The St. Joseph Orchestra and St. Joseph Jazzers and Singers, of St. Joseph Arts Inc., will perform patriotic songs at the concert.

The celebrity emcee is Mississippi native Sam Haskell, who is now former worldwide head of television for the William Morris Agency — the largest diversified talent agency in the world.

Haskell’s wife, Mary, will perform solos at the concert. Cathedral student John Ashton Hicks, 11, will also sing.

Extension agent David Carter and his formerly wild Mustang “Silverado” will present a 9-11 tribute flag. Stephen Guido will tether his patriotic hot-air balloon pre-show, and have a balloon glow at the end.

Alex Craft, Parkway Baptist Church minister of music, will lead a mass choir comprised of singers from the Miss-Lou. Craft said there are more than 100 voices.

“If anyone would like to be involved in this, they are welcome to come and join us,” Craft said.

Rehearsal will be at 6 p.m. today at Parkway Baptist Church. A follow-up rehearsal will be at 2:30 Sunday.

Organizers said guests should bring lawn chairs, blankets and cameras.  Water, soft drinks and small American flags will be for sale. Pre-recorded patriotic music will play as people arrive beginning at 5 p.m.

Cruisin’ on the River

The ninth annual Crusin’ on the River car show will span the weekend, bringing scores of vehicles — old and new — to the Vidalia riverfront.

Registration is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Comfort Suites Hotel in Vidalia, and continues 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Friday’s evening cruise lineup begins at 4:30 p.m. Car show festivities kick off at 8 a.m. Saturday, with drive-through judging ongoing until 1 p.m. There will be an auction at the Vidalia Convention Center at 4 p.m., with awards and prizes distributed at 5:30 at the center.

Robert Maples, president of River City Bad Boyz Miss-Lou Classic Car Club, said the event is an open show — meaning all types of vehicles are welcome.

“You will see 1929 T-Models all the way to as new as they get,” Maples said.

Admission to the car show is free and open to the public. Maples said vendors would sell food and drinks.

Maples said car enthusiasts from surrounding states and beyond show up at the show each year.

“You’ll meet very nice people from different walks of life,” Maples said. “It’s family oriented — no filthy language, no drinking.”

Second Saturday

Second Saturday has rolled around again for downtown Natchez, which will be from 5 to 8 p.m. An architecture block walk will begin at 7 p.m. starting at 415 Main St., led by Mimi Miller of the Historic Natchez Foundation.

Live music can be heard from 6 to 8 p.m. on Pearl and Main streets.

For those in the mood for art — visit the Rolland Golden gallery on Main Street to see a “Cows of All Seasons” exhibit. ArtsNatchez Gallery, also on Main Street, will feature artists Loraine Griffin and Carolyn Gwin.