NATCHEZ — Seven high schools will join Morgantown Middle and Natchez High schools Saturday evening for the Natchez High School battle of the bands competition.

At 7 p.m., NHS will host Lutcher, Peabody, Washington-Marion, Ferriday and Jefferson County high schools’ bands, along with Jim Hill High School’s drum corps. Both Morgantown and NHS will perform, but neither are eligible for the competition.

“We want to make it an annual event,” NHS Athletic Director Fred Butcher said. “This is something the whole family can come to.”

Butcher also said he’s looking to attract more people to Tom F. Williams Memorial Stadium than the typical football fan.

“Some people don’t like football per se, but they will come to see the bands,” Butcher said.

In addition to offering bands a chance to compete, Butcher said the event would allow the bands to exchange ideas.

“It allows the bands to see different line drills and marches,” Butcher said. “It expands their appreciation of band.”

Butcher said the school is working on getting a celebrity band to perform as well, and Ferriday High School’s alumni band is a possibility.

Admission is $7.