NATCHEZ — An old time music gathering, a health event and celebrated music will take over the Miss-Lou this weekend.

Storms and showers are expected throughout the weekend.

Big Yam Potatoes Fiddle Contest

The eighth annual Great Big Yam Potatoes Old-Time Music Gathering and Fiddle Contest will take place this weekend at Historic Jefferson College.

The free event celebrates the fiddle and string band music played by Mississippi musicians at dances and on front porches in the days before radio, said Historic Jefferson College Branch Director Robin Person.

“We love having it out here,” Person said. “It’s a great venue. The music echoes over the grounds, which is historically appropriate. We like people to come to it because it’s a free music event and it’s a great family gathering.”

The old-time dance will begin at 7 p.m. Friday at Historic Jefferson College.

“No experience is needed to participate,” Person said. “It’s just dancing to old time music that uses banjos, fiddles and guitars.”

A day full of live acoustic music begins at 9 a.m. Saturday and will feature traditional musicians performing on the outdoor stage.

Featured performances include acts such as a gourd banjo player, claw hammer banjo player, and a finger-picking blues guitarist.

The Old-Time Fiddle Contest will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday with three divisions participating.

Children, ages one to 11, will compete in the peewee division, followed by the juniors division for ages 12 to 17.

The adult competition will begin after lunch.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three fiddlers in each division with at $500 grand prize that will go to the first place winner in the Senior Division.

The contest entry fee is $5.

Drinks and lunch will be available for purchase on the Historic Jefferson College grounds this weekend.

T-shirts will also be on sale throughout the event.

For rules, registration information and an event schedule, visit bigyampotatoes.com or The Big Yam Facebook page.

Historic Jefferson College is located on 16 Old N. St. in Washington.

Natchez “Fit for Life” Event

Humana Inc. will host a free, community-wide “Fit for Life” launch event at the Natchez Bluff Saturday.

The community event will focus on empowering residents to make healthier choices in their everyday lives.

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday on the Natchez bluff and will include a walk and run, flag football, volleyball and a Zumba class.

The Family Fun Walk will take place at 10 a.m.

For free transportation, call Natchez Transit at 601-445-7568.

Natchez Festival of Music

The Natchez Festival of Music will continue this weekend with an array of musical events to entertain Miss-Lou residents.

4A Tribute to John Alexander

A tribute to John Alexander, a Mississippi Native and Metropolitan Opera Tenor, will take place at 7 p.m. Friday at Waverly Plantation on 790 U.S. 61 South.

Admission is $20 and $10 for students K-12, adult with K-12 student, college and active military ID.

4The Pirates of Penzance

Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance is a musical comedy that concerns Frederic, who is indentured to a band of tenderhearted pirates.

He meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, and the two young people fall in love.

Because Frederic was born on Feb. 29, he only has a birthday each leap year, therefore, his apprenticeship states that he must remain with the pirates for many more years.

Bound by his own sense of duty, Frederic’s only solace is that Mabel agrees to wait faithfully.

The musical will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday at Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center on 64 Homochitto St. in downtown Natchez.

Admission is $30 and $10 for students K-12, adult with K-12 student, college and active military ID.

4Blues and Brews Craft Beer Tasting

Blues and Brews Craft Beer Tasting will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday at Magnolia Bluffs Casino.

Blues music and a variety of craft beer will be featured during the event.

Live entertainment will accompany the event.

Admission is $25 and attendees must be 21 or older.

Experimental Aircraft

The Experimental Aircraft Association local chapter will host an experimental aircraft fly-in at the Concordia Parish Airport from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Pilots from the area will fly-in built production planes to entertain Miss-Lou residents.

“We encourage people to come out and have the opportunity to be around aviation,” said EAA Chapter 910 President Donna Maroon. “You can watch planes land and talk to pilots from around the area.”

Though it will depend on the weather and the pilots, some pilots at the fly-in may offer rides for those who attend.

Graduation ceremonies

Graduation season is upon the Miss-Lou and several commencement ceremonies will take place this weekend.

4Ferriday High School

Ferriday High School will host its commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. today at Ferriday High School

4Vidalia High School

Vidalia High School will host its commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday at Vidalia High School.

4Monterey High School

Monterey High School will host its commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday at Monterey High School.

4Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Natchez Campus

Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Natchez will host its commencement ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Natchez Convention Center.

Friday Forum

The Friday Forum will take place at 8 a.m. Friday at the Natchez Coffee Company on Franklin Street and will feature a legislative update.