NATCHEZ — Noreen Pyron said she is hoping to get the 35th annual Natchez Community Cancer Tennis Tournament back to its original popularity when tennis players hit the courts at Duncan Park Friday for a good cause.

Pyron, a director of the tournament, said the event was once a big hit in Natchez, and said she’s hoping more people will come out and support cancer awareness.

Entries end at 6 p.m. today, and the matches begin with women’s doubles at 3 p.m. Friday and men’s doubles at 4:30 p.m. Mixed doubles will follow at 6:30 p.m.

The cost is $30 per event.

Pyron said the proceeds would benefit several organizations.

“The money will go to a camp in north Mississippi called the Rainbow Camp,” Pyron said. “They lost their funding through the Cancer Society. There are kids in our area that go to this camp. Some of the money stays in our community and is what we use to upgrade the tennis facilities.”

Pyron said there is no monetary goal set for the weekend, but she hopes everyone takes advantage of the fun events and the good that would come from participating.

“It’s a fun weekend,” Pyron said. “Friday night we will have hors d’oeuvres, and Saturday and Sunday morning we will provide a courtside continental breakfast. Saturday at lunch we will have hamburgers.

“And Saturday night there is a cocktail party.”

Pyron said anybody could come and make a donation. Those who aren’t participating in the tennis tournament could give $25 and still be a part of the festivities.

For more information or to register, call the Duncan Park tennis shop at 601-442-1584 or stop by the shop.