Summers around the Miss-Lou are generally exciting enough with the local sports scene, with local baseball, softball, track, tennis and golf activities.

This year promises to be even more exciting with three major events on the book.

On May 21, the United States Cycling Federation Elite National Championship will be held in the River City.

Approximately 200 of the top amateur cyclists in the nation will compete in Natchez.

The big event came about because Jackson is hosting the Olympic Trial in cycling for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

Officials with the USCF contacted Natchez officials about putting on the race. Obviously they had heard how successful the annual Natchez Bicycle Classic has been in the past.

The Natchez Bicycle Classic will be held the last week of June.

Beau Pre Country Club will be buzzing with activity June 19-24 with the Mississippi Women’s State Amateur Tournament.

The tournament was played at Meridian last year and Natchez golfers Pat Dickens, Doris Guido, Bethany Overton and Agatha Haring all did a great job.

It will be nice to have a home crowd cheering them on this year.

Of course, the U.S. Women’s Open provided a lot of excitement at West Point last year.

And who knows, maybe a future Nancy Lopez will be playing this year. It’s sure to be some outstanding golf.

The Dixie Youth AAA&160;9-10 State Tournament will be held at Duncan Park July 21-27.

Opening ceremonies are set for July 21 and play begins Saturday, July 22.

The trio of William Barnes, Frank Guedon and Glenn Carroll put in a bid for the state tournament after Clarence Bowlin made a pitch for the tournament.

Natchez outbid Hattiesburg for the tournament.

&uot;They did a great job,&uot;&160;Bowlin said of the trio. &uot;They put together a good bid that was very impressive.&uot;

If this year’s state tournament is anything like the past two held in Natchez, then local fans are in for a treat.

Two years ago, the Natchez Ace Adams team won its first game, but lost to Hattiesburg 4-3 in its second game.

The local favorites bounced back with an easy win over Collins and then eliminated Yazoo City 7-5.

That brought a final matchup with Hattiesburg, which was undefeated.

The first title game was one of the most memorable ever played at Duncan Park.

Natchez defeated Hattiesburg 6-5 in a 12-inning contest that lasted four hours.

Hattiesburg won the tournament the next day, defeating a gutsy Natchez team 7-4 for the championship.

Natchez should be very proud to be the host for such major events.

And just like with a good movie, the best advertisement is word of mouth.

When the folks who either participate or just come to watch leave, you want them to tell others in their hometowns about how well run the activities were, how impressed they were with the volunteer work and how much they enjoyed seeing the people come out and watch.

Other folks have done their job in getting these events here. Now it’s up to the people in the area to show that’s appreciated.

Joey Martin is sports editor of The Democrat. He can be reached by calling 446-5172 ext. 232 or at joey.martin@natchezdemocrat.com.