NATCHEZ — On Aug. 3, the city is hosting an all-day celebration in honor of the tricentennial, with all activities open and free to the public.

The day will begin at 9 a.m. with an opening ceremony at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians with Principal Chief and Great Sun of the Natchez nation Hutke Fields, a presentation by historian Jim Barnett and children’s activities.

At 1:30 p.m., authors and historians Emily Clark and Erin Greenwald will make colonial French presentations at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center. Book signings for Barnett, Clark and Greenwald will follow. Artifacts from Fort Rosalie will also be on display, and National Park Service Junior Ranger children’s activities will be available.

At 4 p.m., the Natchez National Historical Park will host a dedication ceremony at Fort Rosalie in commemoration of the opening of the third NPS site in Natchez.

The celebration will be topped off with a street party on Broadway Street from Smoot’s Grocery to near the Natchez Grand Hotel and Bowie’s Tavern.

Food trucks and vendors will line the street, along with inflatable bounce houses, slides and carnival games. Artists will display their work in booths, and live musicians are set to perform.

Alcoholic beverages in commemorative plastic cups will be available for purchase at Smoot’s, the Grand and Bowie’s.

Hundreds of cupcakes will be handed out, and fireworks will cap off the night.

Interim Tourism Director and Tricentennial Director Jennifer Ogden Combs said the birthday celebration would be a chance for the entire community to come together and celebrate the city.

“The birthday is first and foremost for the community to come together as one,” Combs said. “We will be commemorating the Natchez tribe and the Natchez people and incorporating the Grand Village and Fort Rosalie, and those are integral parts of our history. We have always wanted also to have an old-fashioned birthday party, and we had a really great turnout for a 299th party last year. We are just really excited about this fabulous birthday.”

Anyone interested in setting up a vendor booth should contact the tricentennial office at 601-446-6345 ext. 12 or info@natchezms300.com. Vendor booth spots are free to reserve.

The Tricentennial Commission is also seeking donations for a free raffle giveaway in celebration of the tricentennial. Anyone who wishes to donate raffle items can contact Hendricks.