NATCHEZ — Local tennis players have one more day to secure their spot in the 34th annual Natchez Community Cancer Tennis Touranment.

Registration for the tournament closes at approximately 6 tonight, tournament director Suzan Hogue said. And Hogue stressed that it wasn’t just tennis players who could join in on the weekend festivities.

“If you don’t play tennis but want to participate in the social events, it’s a $25 donation to the American Cancer Society,” Hogue said. “That covers all the food and the party.”

The tournament will take place Friday through Sunday at Duncan Park, Beau Pré Country Club and the Trinity Episcopal Day School tennis courts. Matches will run all three days, with each player guaranteed two matches. There will also be a party Friday night, a hamburger lunch Saturday and a cocktail party Saturday night, with breakfast being served Saturday and Sunday.

Matches will be split between 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 for the women’s bracket, and 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 for the men’s bracket. There will also be doubles matches with 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0 divisions. You must be 18 years old or a high school graduate to participate.

“We take anyone, and we are very accommodating to people’s schedules,” Hogue said. “We think the weather will be great for this weekend.”

The tournament usually hosts between 75 and 125 people annually, and depending on the out-of-town draw, Hogue said. She also said she’s hoping for a good turnout from the Baton Rouge and Jackson regulars. The bulk of the draw, however, will be from locals.

“We have a close tennis community,” Hogue said. “We’re small, so everyone knows everyone. The draw from out-of-town people lets us be more competitive, so they’re not playing the same people (they usually play).”

The majority of the proceeds from the tournament will go toward Camp Rainbow in north Mississippi, which hosts children who are fighting cancer. Hogue also said a portion of the proceeds go back into the local tennis community.

“We do a lot for Duncan Park and help (Duncan Park Tennis Director) Henry (Harris) out with junior tennis or even wheelchair tennis,” Hogue said.

Whether it’s the tennis matches, the food or even the beer, Hogue said the tournament draws a big crowd every year.

“It’s a fun tournament, and people love coming to Natchez,” Hogue said. “Natchez is known for its history, so people just love coming here.”

To register, contact Hogue at shogue@callon.com or at 601-597-8811.