Beautiful spring weather ushered in the first day of the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage Wednesday.

&uot;We’re going to see how it goes,&uot; said Anna James, manager of Longwood on Lower Woodville Road. &uot;It’s been a beautiful day.&uot;

During this year’s Pilgrimage, 32 antebellum houses will be open for tours on a rotating schedule.

Longwood was one of four houses open Wednesday morning.

&uot;It’s been pretty busy for the first tour,&uot; said James, who estimated 175 people toured Longwood Wednesday.

Faye&160;Richardson of Natchez Pilgrimage Tours said her office has been busy the past two days assisting guests with ticket information.

&uot;We do feel like the first day has been a good one,&uot; she said Wednesday.

Advance group sales are slightly down from spring 1999, but the tour staff is remaining positive.

&uot;We’re looking forward to a great Pilgrimage and hope that it’s successful for everyone in town,&uot; Richardson said.

Margaret Guido of Glenburnie on John R. Junkin Drive agreed Pilgrimage is off to a good start

&uot;It was not a bad crowd for a first day,&uot; she said. &uot;We had some really nice people from all over the country.&uot;

Pilgrimage will last until April 8.

In addition to touring houses, visitors can also purchase tickets to see the annual Confederate Pageant, which recreates scenes from the Old South.

They can also view Southern Road to Freedom, a musical tribute to African-American history in Natchez, or Southern Exposure, a satirical comedy on Spring Pilgrimage.

For more information, visit the Natchez Pilgrimage Tours office at the intersection of Canal and State streets or call 446-6631.