NATCHEZ — Kickoff of Spring Pilgrimage might steal the buzz around town this weekend, but a number of other events merit some talk, too.

Spring Pilgrimage

Hoop-skirted ladies and top-hatted gentlemen will welcome tourists and locals to tours old homes for Spring Pilgrimage starting Saturday until April 14.

For evening entertainment during the pilgrimage season, Days End Diversions, including the Stone House Musicale at the Joseph Stone House on Washington Street, Jazz and Julips at the Carriage House Restaurant and Flags Over Ellicott Hill will be ongoing throughout pilgrimage. These events cost between $20-$25.

Call 1-800-647-6742 to purchase tickets or for more information.

Southern Exposure

The Natchez Little Theater will open the curtains for its premiere performance of Southern Exposure in a benefit performance at 7 p.m. today.

The spoof on the Spring Pilgrimage, set in the 1950s, tells the story of Penelope Mayweather’s efforts to save her antebellum mansion from foreclosure by boarding John Salguod, the Northern author of a bestselling, tell-all book about Natchez, which the town has banned.

Her plans to secretly board Salguod get complicated with the entrance of pesky tourists and visits by her charming, younger cousin.

Tickets are $10, and tonight’s proceeds will benefit the local Habitat for Humanity nonprofit.

Southern Exposure will also run every Saturday, Sunday Tuesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. starting this Saturday until April 14. The final performance, on April 15, will be at 2 p.m.

Southern Road to Freedom

The History of African-Americans in Natchez will be told through the songs and narration of Holy Family Catholic Church Gospel Choir starting Saturday and throughout Spring Pilgrimage.

Shows will be at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays this weekend until April 14.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased through Natchez Pilgrimage Tours online at www.natchezpilgrimage.com or by calling 601-446-6631.

Tribute honoring Sen. Bob M. Dearing

A tribute to honor Sen. Bob M. Dearing at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Natchez Convention Center will feature 15 speakers, mostly Mississippi politicians who worked with Dearing, who will briefly discuss Dearing’s contributions during his 32 years of service as a state senator in District 37, organizer Mike Gemmell said.

Terry Trovato, Bob Sizemore and Burley Cook will play music, and light refreshments will be served with a cash bar on hand.

The free event is open to the public, and attendees will have an opportunity to say something in tribute to Dearing toward the end of the program.

Krewe of Killarney Party and Live Auction

The Krewe of Killarney party and live auction will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Elks Lodge on Lower Woodville Road.

Attendees are encouraged to bring hors d’oeurvres and donate an auction item.

Krewe membership is $25 per couple and $15 per single, and all proceeds benefit area youth. Call 601-442-3031 for information.

Puppy Adoption Day

Residents eager for new fluffy family member can pick one out from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday outside the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society shelter on 392 Liberty Road.

“We’ll have all our puppies (available for adoption) and some of our bigger dogs,” said Linda Kennon, a NACHS board member.

Kennon said she hopes this weekend’s adoption day will be as successful as the one on Feb. 15, when 22 puppies were adopted.

Caravan against violence

The Natchez branch of the NAACP will host a caravan against violence at 1 p.m. Saturday, with lineup starting at 12:15 p.m. at the Brick House on North Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

Organizer Jaqueline Marsaw said participants are welcome to adorn their cars with signs expressing peace and love or signs in memory of a loved one lost to violence.

Ladies Beware course

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office will host two free personal safety courses tonight and Saturday for women 18 and older.

Today’s course will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Southwest Mississippi Training Facility on Foster Mound Road, near the intersection of Steam Plant Road. Licensed professionals will teach participants about situational awareness, avoidance techniques, improvised weapons, Tasers, pepper spray use and self defense.

On Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, session two will be outside the training facility at firing targets as ACSO firing instructors will be on site to teach each participants about firearms’ safety and familiarization.

To register, please contact Public Information Officer Emily Ham with the ACSO at 601-442-2752 or at acso.pr@gmail.com to reserve a spot in the course of your choosing.

Marsaw said Natchez police and deputies from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office will be escorting the caravan all over Natchez and around the county.

Call 601-443-3630 for information.