NATCHEZ — Plenty of tricks and treats are in store for Halloween weekend with a haunted house, a Day of the Dead celebration and the annual Rotary Chili Cook-Off.

Friday is predicted to be partly sunny with a high of 77 degrees and a low of 64. Saturday is forecast to have heavy rain and a thunderstorm, with temperatures reaching a high of 75 and a low of 67. Rain is also forecast for Sunday, with a high of 74 and a low of 60.

Friday night football

The first round of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AA State Playoffs are this weekend, with Trinity Episcopal Day School playing an away game at Canton Academy. The MAIS AAA playoffs also begin this Friday, with Adams County Christian School facing Centreville Academey in a home game. Cathedral High School will also stay home to go up against Bowling Green.

The rest of the games are away games, with Natchez High playing West Jones and Ferriday High School going head to head with Mangham. Vidalia High will be playing at Winnfield, while Delta Charter will play Delhi High School.

All games start at 7 p.m.

Your Worst Nightmare Haunted House

Things are going to get spooky at 605 N. Magnolia St. in Vidalia this weekend with Your Worst Nightmare Haunted House.

The house will be decorated with an overarching story, which visitors will discover when they go inside.

“It’s going to be as if you’re in a scary movie,” Organizer Melonie Sair said.

Before doors open at the haunted house Friday, children 2 to 10 years old will be able to play in a carnival-themed room, with games like hop scotch and jump rope.

Doors to the haunted house open at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday, with the children’s room running from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Admission is $2 for all ages.

Visitors should wear old clothes and shoes, as things will get messy. No one is allowed to hit or grab anyone. If a visitor becomes too scared they can be escorted out.

The Vidalia Police Department will also be on hand for security.

“Be prepared for a night to remember,” Sair said.

Day of the Dead Celebration and Artist Talk

While some people will be preparing for trick-or-treating Friday, the ArtsNatchez Gallery will host a Day of the Dead Celebration.

The gallery features a Day of the Dead altar, which was put together by several of the gallery’s artists. Sálongo Lee was the curator for building the altar, and will give an artist’s talk about the Day of the Dead.

“I’m going to talk about the parallels between the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration and other cultures who celebrate the passing of the dead,” Lee said.

Other attractions include Day of the Dead artwork from states such as California and Louisiana, as well as artwork from Natchez High School’s Spanish Class.

“It’s something for the community to learn about other cultures, which is the purpose of art and art galleries,” Lee said.

The free event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at the ArtsNatchez Gallery on 425 Main St., Natchez. Light refreshments will be served.

The exhibit runs until next Thursday.

Annual Rotary Chili Cook-Off

Anyone in the mood for savories rather than sweets Saturday can visit the bluff for the Annual Rotary Chili Cook Off.

The event, which raises money for Natchez Children’s Home Services, features several different teams competing to deliver the best chili to visitors and judges. A few different home brewed beers will also be available, with root beer floats on hand for children.

Anyone not in the mood for chili can look through a silent auction, enter a raffle for a deer stand, or bring their children in for face painting, a blow-up slide and a costume contest.

The event begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. Judging starts at noon.

Chili tasting kits are $5, as are home brew tasting kits. Raffle tickets are $10 for one or $20 for three.

The cost to enter a cook off team is $50. The last day to register is Friday before the team meeting at 6 p.m. at Bowie’s Barrel Room.