NATCHEZ — Sunny skies and cooler temperatures are in the forecast for a busy weekend full of carnivals and concerts.

Chili Cook-off

The Natchez Rotary Broadway Bash Chili Cook-off is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on the bluff across from the Natchez Grand Hotel.

A chili-tasting kit is $5 to sample all of the chili submissions, and there will be a children’s area with a blow-up slide, face painting and carnival games.

A wristband can be purchased for $5.

A Skeeter Wilson Deer Stand will be raffled off, as well as many other items. Proceeds will go to the Natchez Children’s Home.

For more information, call 601-442-3628.

Ghost tales and Halloween duck hunt

Historic Jefferson College is hosting ghost talks around the campfire at 6:30 tonight on the college grounds.

Immediately following the ghost tales, there will be a Halloween after-dark duck hunt. Rubber ducks will be hidden throughout the HJC grounds, and the children can keep all the ducks they find.

Both events are free of charge, and families are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair and a flashlight.

For more information, call Robin Person at 601-442-2901.

Festival of Music

The Natchez Festival of Music is presenting “Die Fledermaus” at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at www.natchezfestivalmusic.com, by calling 601-445-2210 or by going to Natchez Pilgrimage Tours at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center.

Special student and group rates for 10 or more are available.

Natchez Trace anniversary

The Natchez Trace Parkway Association is hosting a ceremony for the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

The association is hosting the Natchez Trace Ball at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Eola Hotel. Entertainment will be by Tommy Sebrell and his Top Hats Orchestra with Kim Coalter as the featured vocalist. Tickets for the ball are $75 for adults and $65 for children ages 6 to 12.

A commemorative ceremony barbecue by chef Jason Roland is at 4 p.m. Sunday at Brandon Hall Plantation. Tickets are $30 per person.

A special Natchez trolley tour begins at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The tour begins behind the Eola Hotel. Tickets are $25 per person.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.natchezpilgrimage.com.

Longwood Halloween Carnival

The Longwood Halloween Carnival is from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Longwood.

The carnival will have 16 midway games, a pumpkin patch and a photo booth.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Wristbands are $20, which will give children access to all of the midway games and the haunted hayride. Individual tickets can also be purchased for games, and additional tickets can be purchased for the pumpkin patch and photo booth at the gate.

Bluffs and Bayous Music

Festival

The Bluffs and Bayous Music Festival begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Vidalia amphitheater.

The tentative lineup for the festival is The Sensational Harris Brothers, Crossing Over, Judah Seed, Joe Arview and Thunder, Hannah Belle and this year’s headliner, Joe Diffie.

Gates will open at 1 p.m., and bands will begin between 2:30 and 3 p.m. No alcohol will be permitted.

The festival is hosted annually by Highland Baptist Church.

CPSO jambalaya dinner

Beginning at 10 a.m. today, the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Department is hosting its annual jambalaya dinner fundraiser for “Feed the Hungry” at Vidalia First Assembly of God.

Tickets are $6 and are available at the church. All proceeds will benefit the program.

Archaeology series

Daniel LaDu of the University of Alabama is giving a presentation titled, “Coles Creek and Plaquemine Settlement at the Mazique Mounds” at 6:30 tonight at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians auditorium.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. For more information, call 601-446-6402.

St. Catherine Creek Refuge Week

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, the St. Catherine National Wildlife Refuge is celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week.

Free hotdogs and sodas will be available, as well as an obstacle course, guided bird and canoe tours, pond discovery stations, games and a butterfly garden demo.

For more information, call 601-442-6696 or e-mail saintcatherinecreek@fws.gov.

Women’s conference and

concert

Beginning at noon Saturday, the Greater New Jerusalem Apostolic church is hosting a community prayer and concert at the Natchez City Auditorium.

At noon, the Rev. Robbie Cade will lead the community prayer and at 7 p.m. Debra Snipes will take the stage.

This year’s theme is “Women Shining for Jesus.” A $10 donation will be accepted at the door.

For more information, call Queen Jackson at 601-807-8679.

Friday Forum

This week’s topics are the Alcorn Farmers’ Market annual pumpkin carving contest, the First Baptist Church of Natchez fall festival and the Longwood Halloween carnival.

The weekly forum begins at 8 a.m. at the Natchez Coffee Company and is sponsored by Alcorn State University and the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce.

Football Friday

Cathedral School hosts Hinds AHS, Vidalia High School hosts Caldwell Parish, Ferriday High School hosts Sterlington, Franklin County High School hosts Jefferson County High School, Wilkinson County Christian Academy hosts CENLA Christian and Wilkinson County High School hosts Prentiss.

Trinity Episcopal Day School travels to Brookhaven Academy, Natchez High School travels to Brandon, Adams County Christian School travels to Columbia Academy, Block travels to Saint Mary’s and Centreville Academy travels to Silliman.

All games kick off at 7 p.m.