NATCHEZ &8212; On Saturday, supporters of Holy Family Catholic School gathered on and around the school&8217;s outdoor basketball court to celebrate an event some said has been taking place annually for at least 20 years.

That&8217;s the day the parochial school held its Fall Festival, an event held not only to raise money to help operate the kindergarten-through-eighth grade school but to give its workers, students and parents a chance to blow off steam.

&8220;It gives parents, faculty and staff the chance to have a good time,&8221; Principal Rosa Demby said. &8220;It&8217;s great for camaraderie.&8221;

Demby said one reason the festival has gone on with few hitches for so long is that, for at least 14 years, Librarian&8217;s Assistant Faye Barnes has served as its organizer.

Both Demby and Barnes said the event has become one the whole community, not just Holy Family&8217;s direct supporters, looks forward to every autumn.

But most importantly, Barnes said, &8220;it&8217;s a chance to give back to our students.&8221;

Maxine Harris, who recently evacuated back from New Orleans to her native Natchez after Hurricane Katrina, said it&8217;s a welcome diversion for her and a chance to show her support for her grandson, 3-year-old Jonathan Harris, who&8217;s attending Holy Family for the first year.

But she said it&8217;s clear what the favorite attraction is for Jonathan. &8220;It&8217;s the games,&8221; she said, standing among the booth games and food stands set up along the perimeter of the court.

The event also featured a bake sale, other events and dance music and oldies by DJ Walter Squalls.