NATCHEZ — Balloons are rising into the air, flea market vendors are setting up their tables and ghouls are taking to the woods this weekend.

Friday is forecast to have a high temperature of 88 with a low of 76 and plenty of sunshine. The sunny weather will continue, but the temperatures are predicted to cool off a bit Saturday and Sunday, with a high of 76 on both days, a low of 47.

Cox Hill Fall Festival

With Halloween creeping nearer, the Cox Hill Fall Festival is returning for its 16th year to deliver thrills and chills to locals for a good cause.

This year, organizer Cathy Cox Warren said the haunted trail will have some surprises for veteran festival goers, including a new tunnel.

In addition to the haunted trail, the festival will also feature music and games.

“It’s a lot of fun, and it gives the kids something to do,” Warren said.

The festival is open Oct. 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31 at 18A Springfield Road. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 8 and under.

All proceeds from the event go to help Marty Probst with his expenses. Probst is currently battling cancer.

For more information, or to volunteer, Warren can be reached at 601-431-3377.

The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race

Grab your picnic blanket and your sense of adventure for the 2015 Great Mississippi River Balloon Race.

Events begin Friday morning with the media/biathlon balloon flight, followed by the balloon glow at 7 p.m. on the bluff, fireworks over the river at 7:30 p.m. and the Bishop Gunn band performing from 8 to 10 p.m. at the festival grounds on the bluff behind Rosalie.

The Saturday competition race is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m., with festival gates opening at 11 a.m. Live music will start at noon with Mojo Mudd and continue into the night.

The Saturday afternoon balloon flight is scheduled to be at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Sunday will wrap up the race, with the final competition balloon flight lifting off at 7:30 a.m. and festival gates opening at noon. Live music starts at 1 p.m. with the Concordia Parish Gifted Musical Program. An afternoon flight balloon flight is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

All times for the flights are estimates and depend on optimal flying weather. No pets, ice chests, weapons, outside food and drink, illegal substances and tents will be allowed onto festival grounds.

Bags, strollers and wagons will be checked by security at the entrance.

For live updates on the balloons’ flights, sign up for text alerts from The Natchez Democrat by visiting natchezdemocrat.com.

Vidalia Riverfront festivities

On the Vidalia side of the river, the riverfront will come alive this weekend with a flea market and rides.

The Vidalia Flea Market opened Wednesday at the Amphitheater at the Vidalia Landing Riverfront. Visitors can browse through retail specialty items, arts and crafts, clothing and regional foods at the event, sponsored by BCS Productions.

The flea market runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today until Sunday, with vendors staying open until 9 p.m. Friday. Admission is free.

Also on the Vidalia Riverfront, the Mad Jax Carnival is roaring into life.

The carnival will offer rides, food and fun . The carnival starts at noon and run from today through Sunday.

Admission is free.

Friday night football

Cathedral goes head to head with Centreville this weekend for its Pink Wave Game, which will raise funds to help fight against breast cancer. Meanwhile, Adams County Christian School will play East Rankin Academy and Trinity will go up against Glenbrook for their senior nights.

Natchez High School has an away game this weekend, facing Wayne County in Waynesboro.

Football teams in Louisiana are also boarding the buses for away games. Vidalia is scheduled to play Buckeye, Delta Charter goes against Delhi Charter and Ferriday will face General Trass in Lake Providence.

All games start at 7 p.m.