Natchez &8212; In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when Natchez was one of the brightest lights south of I-20, the streets of the city were packed with people from all over the affected region.

Gasoline, electricity and camping supplies were the objects of desire for day-trippers determined to stay with what was left of their homes while finding shelter was the aim of those who had nothing to return to.

Apartments and hotel rooms were snapped up while the remaining people piled into churches and shelters.

Through it all, business has been good in the area, and while some events have been disrupted by circumstances brought on the hurricane, the city has largely been able to return to normalcy, whatever that now is.

This has been a record fall for the hotels, of course. Their sudden lack of capacity forced the cancellation of a real estate convention but couldn&8217;t keep the balloon racers from dropping in.

While race organizers scrambled to find rooms in local homes for the racers, locals signed up as volunteer crew to help ensure that the race would go on.

A highlight of the weekend was the balloon glow, which elicited ohs and ahs from everyone in Natchez, be they new residents or old.

Fall Pilgrimage suffered, but that was due to the fact that the anchor stop on the bus tours &8212; New Orleans &8212; was not receiving visitors.

The show must go on, Pilgrimage organizers said, and those who did come left impressed, as always.

It has been a trying time for everyone in Natchez, no matter how long they have been here. And, while there is no telling what the future holds, it&8217;s a good bet that the city can handle it with the same grace it showed this year.