NATCHEZ — Thirteen years ago, a small collection of outdoors enthusiasts got together for a good cause and a bit of bragging rights when Redneck Adventures host Jim Allgood hosted his first handicap squirrel hunt in Kingston.

The hunters were split into an LSU team and an Ole Miss team, and each squad had a half dozen hunters. Thirteen years later, Allgood said he expects 200 participants in this year’s event that will feature more than just bushy-tailed squirrels as targets.

“Each year it has grown, and now we have folks from all over the country that come to enjoy the Miss-Lou,” Allgood said. “It’s special for me to get to see these folks get the chance to harvest game. Without events like these, many of these folks might not have gotten that opportunity.”

This year’s event is called the Miss-Lou Outdoor Extravaganza and will be a two-day long celebration of the outdoors that will include the traditional squirrel hunt, as well as a rabbit and coon hunt and a hog hunt.

The event is designed to give special needs children and wounded veterans a chance to hit the woods and have the opportunity to hunt.

“We’ve added new events to allow many special kids and special needs soldiers to possibly get a chance to be a part of a big hunt,” Allgood said.

The event kicks off Friday with a casual squirrel hunt.

A banquet will follow the hunt Friday night that will feature food and auctions. The doors of the Vidalia Convention Center will open at 5 p.m., dinner is at 7 and tickets are $25.

Auction items include guns, camouflage, fishing gear, hunting trips and ammunition. Bingo Starr of the Carriage House and Red Owens will prepare the dinner.

Saturday morning will feature another squirrel hunt, as well as a rabbit and coon hunt and a hog hunt.

The hog hunt will benefit Hunters for the Hungry, and the hogs will be processed to feed needy families. The team entry fee for the hog hunt is $250. The fee includes 10 tickets to Saturday night’s banquet, and prize money will be awarded for the biggest hog, biggest cutters and most hogs.

A poker run will follow at 10 a.m. Saturday. One hand is $25 and two hands are $40. Each rider gets one ticket to Saturday night’s banquet.

There will also be a wild-game cookoff at Saturday night’s banquet. Teams will cook for best overall taste, best in show and people’s choice.

Finally, guests at Saturday night’s banquet will get a sneak peak at a film honoring soldiers that served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We’ve got something for everyone,” Allgood said. “I don’t think we could have jammed any more into two days than we have. It’s going to be non-stop fun and excitement.”

For tickets and information, contact Allgood at 601-597-6658 or redneckadventure@yahoo.com.