Natchez Spring Pilgrimage 2008 is drawing to a close. While the azaleas continue to bloom in tiny color explosions throughout the area, the historic parts of the city will get back to normal soon.

In six days, the hoop skirts — at least most of them — will be put away for a while.

Four nights a week will get back to normal for the dozens of parents who volunteer at the Historic Natchez Pageant.

The traffic on Canal Street will get back to normal — meaning locals can relax a bit and not be on the defensive as much as when tourists abound.

And, the number of buses crowding downtown will wane a good bit.

But while many residents may view Spring Pilgrimage season as something to endure, the reality is that tourism is a huge industry for the Miss-Lou.

And, interestingly, when we say tourism, we’re not just talking about the antebellum houses.

Tourists come to Natchez for a myriad of reasons including: house tours (obviously), antiques shopping, hunting and fishing trips, romantic weekend getaways, destination weddings, business conferences and conventions, even dinner and shopping trips, and the list could go on and on.

Tourism isn’t just stuck in 1860s Natchez, but the houses are still the leading attraction.

Natchez’s welcome mat is always out — not just when pilgrimage is under way.

And, although we can currently sense when Pilgrimage is over and things get back to normal, we hope soon that our area’s attractiveness pulls in visitors all year round.