NATCHEZ — The Natchez Garden Club is set to roll out the red carpet and kick off the holiday season Thursday during its annual Victorian Luncheon at Magnolia Hall.

The annual event is a major fundraiser for the club and also helps showcase a variety of foods made by club members, event co-chairwoman J.J. Rabb said.

“All the food is prepared by club members, and there’s always something for everyone available,” Rabb said. “This is also the perfect event to get everyone in the holiday spirit.”

The luncheon will feature an assortment of sandwiches, dips and desserts, as well as the club’s famous corn chowder.

“That always seems to be a crowd favorite,” Rabb said. “It’s a wonderful dish.”

Rabb said the public is invited to join the fun and enjoy all the dishes made by club members.

The club’s annual soup and casserole sale will also be ongoing during the luncheon in the back gallery of Magnolia Hall.

Casseroles will be sold at $20 for a large and $12 for a small, while soups are $5 per pint or $10 per quart container.

All funds raised at the luncheon will be used for the restoration of the two Natchez Garden Club properties — the House on Ellicott Hill and Magnolia Hall.

The second phase of restoration of Magnolia Hall is slated to begin Jan. 1, club president Jo Ann Herrington said.

The second phase includes exterior restoration of the historic property, including windows, shutters and a fresh coat of paint.

“The color and paint analysis we had done two years ago revealed that the columns were not painted right the last time,” Herrington said. “They are actually supposed to be a Brownstone also, so it’s going to change up the whole appearance of the house.”

Work done at the House on Ellicott Hill consists more of preventative maintenance.

“We try and do the work now to prevent the big things from arising later,” Herrington said. “The most recent thing done on Ellicott Hill was to replace the handicap ramp, which was important to us to get done.”

Herrington said events such as the Victorian Luncheon are essential to the club’s goal of preserving the two properties.

“The more we make at the Victorian Luncheon, the more goes into our restoration fund,” she said. “So these events are extremely important for us.”

Tickets to the Victorian Luncheon are $12 and may be purchased at the door, or in the Natchez Garden Club office, located at 215 S. Pearl St., in Natchez, during business hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To-go boxes of any of the casseroles or soups will be available, and deliveries can also be accommodated.

For more information, call 601-443-9065.