NATCHEZ — Several downtown business owners are linking harsh winter conditions in the North to an increase in Spring Pilgrimage visitors and, hopefully, even more visitors after the hoopskirts are put away.

Natchez’s Spring Pilgrimage kicked off March 8 and three weeks into the annual event, business owners are reporting a strong start to a key part of the city’s tourism efforts.

Old South Trading Post owner Jonathan Wood said he normally prepares beforehand for a slow first couple of days or even a slow first week during the Pilgrimage season.

But this season proved different with more visitors arriving in the early days of the season — all commenting they were glad to leave the cold weather behind.

“I just think people are extremely tired of being shut in, they’re looking for an escape, and this is it,” Wood said. “I really think this weather issue in the Northern states has played a big part in people coming to Natchez.”

“Chicago, Boston, Maine — all those places are still getting snow, and I think that’s good for us in the long run,” Wood said. “I think we’re going to see a strong showing of tourists past the end of Pilgrimage and into April and May because those people who are stuck at home now because of the ice and snow will be wanting to get out and travel.”

Wood said an increased effort to market Natchez and cater to those residents who will soon want to leave the cold weather should be put forth by all Natchez businesses.

“I really think we’re going to get more people who can’t make it by the end of Pilgrimage, and we all can’t just shut down,” Wood said. “We have to keep going. Just because Pilgrimage ends, doesn’t mean tourism is over.”

Annette Holder, who owns Mrs. Holder’s Antiques, said she’s been pleasantly surprised at the turnout this Pilgrimage season and hopes the number of visitors continues to rise.

“I think it’s been a really good season so far,” Holder said. “I’ve been noticing a lot more people just walking up and down the streets downtown every day and that’s been very pleasant to see.”

Holder attributes the increase in downtown foot traffic — and the increase in customers in her store — to the two riverboats that bring busloads of visitors throughout the week.

The American Queen and Queen of the Mississippi, Holder said, help bring a diverse group of visitors to the area that normally might never experience Natchez.

“A lot of time in the past 20-something years, people here for Pilgrimage would really just come into the store as more of an entertainment for them to look around,” Holder said. “But I’ve found this year, people seem to be genuinely interested in the antiques we carry, have more knowledge about them and are more interested in purchasing them.”

Holder said several days of nice spring weather — while still cold for some local residents — certainly hasn’t hurt visitors feeling right at home.

“We’re all still cold, but they sure seem to be happy and enjoying the nice weather,” Holder said, laughing. “I would imagine that has quite an effect for them.”

For Pearl Street Pasta owners Eddie and Sandra Burkes feeding the cold and hungry is done with a smile.

“I think everyone is starting to get out from the winter weather, tourists and even locals, and started wandering around downtown more,” Eddie said. “Our crowds have been really good so far.”

Eddie also noticed a spike in customers during the first few days of Spring Pilgrimage.

“Usually it starts off a little bit slow and builds up to the end, but not this year,” Eddie said. “This year, it started out quite busy at the very beginning.”

Eddie also said he wouldn’t be surprised to see more visitors in the coming months, especially if harsh conditions continue up North.

“I know my son is in (Washington,) D.C., and he is snowed in right now, so maybe a lot of people who normally come down haven’t been able to yet,” Eddie said. “Hopefully, they will make the trip soon.”

Natchez Pilgrimage Tours General Manager Emily Edwards said she didn’t have exact numbers on visitors who have come for Spring Pilgrimage, but she has gotten positive reports from multiple homeowners and businesses in town.

“That first weekend, there was more people in town out and about, so I felt like we got off to a really good start,” Edwards said. “The weather has continued to not really cooperate with us, but we have a lot of houses reporting really good numbers.”