NATCHEZ — The weather is cooling off in the Miss-Lou, but residents can get their blood pumping this weekend with a run, battles, football playoffs, music and shopping.

Friday and Saturday are expected to be partly sunny with some clouds. Both days are predicted to have temperatures with the highs in the lower 60s and lows in the low 40s.

Rain is forecast to hit town Sunday afternoon, with a high of 64 and a low of 52.

Friday night football

Two games dominate this week’s football schedule, with local teams participating in the Mississippi High School Activities Association and the Louisiana High School Athletics Association.

Natchez High School will compete in the first round of the MHSAA Class 5A South state playoffs. The Bulldogs will face Pearl River Central High School in an away game.

Across the river, Ferriday High School will compete in the LHSAA Class 2A state playoffs. The team will compete in the first round game at home against West St. John High School.

Both games start at 7 p.m. Friday.

Second Saturday

Stores are once again extending their hours for Second Saturday in downtown Natchez.

As part of the festivities, ArtsNatchez Gallery will host a children’s art activity from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the gallery will feature special exhibits from painter Sandy Lane and painter and jewelry maker Ann Faillace.

Musical entertainment will also be offered from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Main Street.

Wirt Adams Raid into Natchez Civil War Reenactment

History gets explosive this weekend with the Wirt Adams Raid into Natchez Civil War Reenactment at Historic Jefferson College.

On Saturday and Sunday, Historic Jefferson College will serve as the stage for reenactors from all over the South as they bring Wirt Adams’ raid into Natchez to life.

The event runs all day with battles starting at 2 p.m. For more information, call 601-442-2901 or email info@historicjeffersoncollege.com.

Natchez-Adams County Humane Society Run for the Rescues

Pet enthusiasts and fitness buffs can come together Saturday on the bluff for the third-annual Natchez-Adams County Humane Society Run for the Rescues.

The event features a 10K run, a 5K run or walk and a one-mile fun run for children ages 7 to 10.

“Leashed dogs are also welcome,” event coordinator Deanne Tanksley said. “We’ll have some water bowls at different stations.”

The run starts at 8:30 a.m. at the gazebo. Entry fee is $25 if preregistered and $35 on the day.

The cost for the fun run is $10.

People who are interested in donating but not running can go to the event’s Facebook page and donate for Tanksley to run for them.

Tanksley said the proceeds will go toward funding the shelter’s operations.

“I really just want people to get out there and have a little fun,” Tanksley said.

To register, visit active.com or email Tanksley at deannetanksley@me.com.

Trinity Merry Market Holiday Bazaar

Shoppers looking to scratch off some names from their Christmas list can visit the sixth-annual Merry Market Saturday.

The event features various local and out-of-town vendors and organizations, including the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society and Slick Rick’s. Shoppers can look through clothing, jewelry, art and other items as they search for the perfect Christmas present.

Santa Claus will also drop by to take photos and eat cookies with children from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Merry Market serves as a fundraiser for Trinity Episcopal Day School. The market opens at 9 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. at the Natchez Convention Center.

Admission is $5. Children age 12 and under are free. Cookies with Santa costs $5 per child.

Battle of the Bands

Natchez High School is set to explode with music Saturday night as the Battle of the Bands heats up.

Starting at 4 p.m., NHS will square off against six to eight other high school bands in a battle for melodic supremacy.

But it’s not just students. For their performance, NHS will share the stage with local blues musician Theodis Ealey.

Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door.

Longwood Afternoon

Gather up your picnic blankets and lawn chairs Sunday for an afternoon of music at Longwood.

Visitors can relax on the historic house’s lawn as they listen to up-and-coming local band Bishop Gunn.

Adult beverages, water, soda, food and T-shirts are all available for purchase. Children can enjoy free balloons and a jumpy castle.

Gates open at 1 p.m. The band starts playing at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $25 per car and can be purchased upon arrival. No outside food or drink is allowed.

For more information, contact Lou Ellen Stout at 601-807-1595.