NATCHEZ — Events scheduled in the Miss-Lou Saturday will go a long way to benefit grownups, children and animals alike.

Great Strides Walk

Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Natchez campus Respiratory Care Program and the Natchez Trace Branch of Foresters will host the third annual Great Strides Walk on Saturday. The walk benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“The Respiratory Care Program started the walk two years ago for two reasons — respiratory care plays an integral role in the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis; and one of our students at the time had a brother with the disease,” said Walt Wilson, respiratory care program instructor.

Wilson said the walk raised almost $3,000 the last two years. In addition to the walk, there will be prizes awarded to walkers who raise more than $100.

The five kilometer (3.1 miles) walk consists of four laps around Co-Lin Circle. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk will begin at 9. For more information, contact Wilson at 601-446-1277 or walt.wilson@colin.edu.

Bark in the Park

The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society event will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Grand Village of Natchez Indians. Admission is $4, and $1 for children younger than 5. Kathy Fitch, who is helping to coordinate the event, said all proceeds benefit the humane society’s operations fund, which feeds shelter animals and keeps the doors open.

The event will feature an adoption box, with a small selection of dogs available for adoption. There will also be a concession stand and collectible T-shirts for sale designed by local artist Kay Browning.

The contest registration fee is $2 per dog, per category. First-, second- and third-place trophies will be awarded for these first six categories: most handsome male, most beautiful female, cutest puppy (ages 6 weeks to 4 months), best trick, best dressed and best owner look-alike. Only one trophy will be awarded for the following: best tail wag, best smile, best singer and Mr. and Miss NACHS.

For more information about the event or pet adoption, visit natchezpetadoptions.org.

Natchez Poker Run

The Natchez Poker Run will also be Saturday, with all proceeds benefiting the Sunshine Center for Abused Children.

The Sunshine Center provides shelter, food, medical care, psychological care and counseling services for abused and neglected children who have been taken into protective custody.

The poker run will start at noon at Fat Mama’s Tamales in Natchez. Registration will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prizes include $300 for the best poker hand, $200 for the second-best poker hand and $100 for the third-best. Also, 50/50 pot tickets will be $5. One ticket will be drawn for half the money in the pot, the other half of the pot goes to the Sunshine Center.

Live Well in the Miss-Lou River Bridge Run

A 5K run/walk across the Mississippi River Bridge, and one-mile fun run along the river in Vidalia, will be Saturday as well.  The 5K run/walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center. The fun run begins at approximately 9:30 a.m. near the Vidalia Amphitheater. Both will benefit the Miss-Lou Regional Health Fair and Online Regional Health Directory.

Rusty Sammons, who is helping to organize the event, said traffic will be stopped on the bridge while racers cross over to Vidalia.

Contact Sammons at 601-850-6301 or Sarah Smith at 601-334-1537 for more information.

Ferriday events

Saturday will be full of fun for Ferriday residents, with an educational rally at 3 p.m. at the Ferriday High School campus, with all Concordia and Catahoula parish schools invited.

Following the rally will be a NAACP Louisiana State Convention parade. Lineup is at 4:45 p.m. at Ferriday High School. Admission to the parade is free.

In the evening, a street dance will be from 7 to 10:30 p.m. in downtown Ferriday. Admission is $5, and the general public is invited.