NATCHEZ — It would be a shame for Miss-Lou foodies, athletes, toe-tappers, art lovers and julep sippers to stay home this weekend with so many events lined up.

Clash in the Kitchen

Local chefs will fight to the end today, not with live ammo, but spatulas and serving forks.

Clash in the Kitchen, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., will feature a cook-off between local chefs Bingo Starr, Eric Sibley, Brad Seyfarth and Rick Simons with state and community leaders serving as celebrity judges at the Natchez Community Center.

Tickets are $40, and can be purchased at Natchez Coffee Company on Franklin Street.

“We anticipate lots of excitement in this Natchez cook-off exhibit,” said Clara Newman, one of the clash organizers. “In addition to the cooking entertainment, we will also feature live music, delicious catered food, beverages and a great silent auction.”

Proceeds from the clash will benefit the Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Association Inc. — a non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of offering financial assistance to burn victims in the state of Mississippi.

Mozart and Mint Juleps at Longwood

The Natchez Festival of Music presents Mozart and Mint Juleps at Longwood at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Following refreshments and an informal tour of Longwood, The Havana String Quartet will play a concert featuring two elegant string quartets by Mozart and Haydn.

Admission is $25, which includes the concert, informal touring of the first two floors of the six story home, one complimentary mint julep and hors-d’oeuvre.  A cash bar for additional drinks will be available.

Longwood is located at 140 Lower Woodville Road in Natchez. Tickets are available at Natchez Pilgrimage Tours at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center, 601-446-6631 at www.natchezpilgrimage.com, or at the door.

Phatwater Kayak Challenge X

Registration for the 10th annual Mississippi River kayak challenge ends at noon today, but the sight of scores of paddlers making their way Under-the-Hill between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday is not to be missed.

So, if you think you may want to give it a go, of if you would like to volunteer, check out the website, www.kayakmississippi.com, e-mail info@kayakmississippi.com, or call 601-431-1731.

The free bus shuttle for all paddlers departs Natchez Grand Hotel at 5 a.m., Saturday. All participants must sign a waiver at the Under-The-Hill Saloon from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.

It’s party time after the race. Free drinks and lunch for all participants will be at the Under-the-Hill Saloon, following the race. Cash prizes will be awarded to top finishers.

Second Saturday

For art-starved Miss-Lou residents, Second Saturday offers a visual feast from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Natchez.

Photographers Shirley Byrne and Leon Hollis will have a dual exhibition at ArtsNatchez on Main Street.

Adam T. Gwin, builder of fine furniture, will have a grand opening at his new location on 102 South Martin Luther King St.

From 5 to 6 p.m. only, Carrie Lambert will present a crochet-to-wear demonstration at M. Schon Gallery, 411 Main St.

Natchez artist Marina Cavette will give an oil painting demonstration at Main and Canal streets, by the convention center.

Painter Rolland Golden will show his series, “Enter Autumn,” at his gallery at 415 Main St.

Brodeur Gallery, Conner Burns Pottery and downtown shops will also be open at Second Saturday.

Live music will be part of the arts offerings as well, with Apostle’s Creed playing at Vintage Retreat on 100 State St., and Cavette and Thomas playing at One of the Kind, at 409 Main St.

Big River Jamboree

The monthly Big River Jamboree will be from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Natchez Shrine Club on 229 Morgantown Road.

The SureFire Band will headline the event. Gospel hour will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Classic country and rock will follow.

Guests can enjoy concessions, dancing and door prizes. The jamboree is fun for the whole family in a smoke-and-alcohol-free environment.