NATCHEZ — Whether you’re in the mood for football, parties or art, the area will offer plenty to celebrate this Labor Day weekend.

The weekend is forecast to be hot and wet, starting off with a slight chance of a thunderstorm Friday and a high of 93 and low of 71. Saturday is predicted to follow suit, only with a high of 88 and a low of 71.

Partly sunny skies are expected Sunday after a possible storm and a high of 90 and low of 70. Labor Day weekend wraps up on Monday with a forecast of a thundershower and a high of 89 with a low of 69.

Friday night football

Football season is in full swing, and the competition is heating up.

Trinity will play Copiah Academy on its home turf, but Adams County Christian School and Cathedral will have away games, with ACCS going up against Bowling Green and Cathedral facing Jackson Prep.

Schools on the Louisiana side of the river are also gearing up Friday, with Vidalia High School, Ferriday High School and Delta Charter School beginning their seasons.

VHS will play Sicily Island and FHS will face Carroll in away games. Delta Charter will have a home game against Lake Charles College Prep.

All games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

The Dixie Thunder Run

The Dixie Thunder Run will rev up its engines in the Miss-Lou area this weekend.

Beginning on Friday night and running until Sunday morning, organizers estimate the Thunder Run will bring more than 1,000an estimated 1,000 bikers riding into Natchez to celebrate Labor Day weekend and raise money for wounded soldiers.

But the street parties and events aren’t just for bikers. The festivities kick off at 7 p.m. Friday on Main Street and run through midnight.

The next day, everyone can enjoy live music and a party on the bluff as the majority of the bikers come to town. At 7 p.m., the party returns to Main Street and lasts until midnight.

Events end on Sunday at 9 a.m. with a memorial service on the bluff.

Empty Storefront Project

Starting at noon and running until 5 p.m. Saturday, the Natchez Art Center is opening its doors and inviting the community in to help with the Empty Storefront Project.

The Empty Storefront Project seeks to put a painting inside the window of empty storefronts in the downtown area. The goal is to beautify the storefronts in time for the tricentennial, organizers said.

“We provide the supplies, and they provide the creativity,” Carolyn Weir, administrator with the Natchez Art Association, said.

Painters of all ages and experience levels are welcome.

The Natchez Art Center is located on 409 Franklin St. and can be reached at 601-334-0987.