VIDALIA — Long or short, thick or thin, brunette or blonde, hair of all shapes, sizes and colors will be welcome at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center this weekend.

The Back to the Roots Beauty Trade and Fashion Extravaganza will start 7 p.m. Saturday, and will continue through Monday.

“Anyone who has ever been interested in hair, is a do-it-yourselfer or just likes the latest trends, this is the place to come,” event organizer Maurice Bachus said.

Bachus said the event is bringing in barbers and beauticians from all over the area.

“An event of this magnitude usually requires going out of state,” he said. “Right here in the Miss-Lou we have a melting pot of barbers and beauticians, and this is an opportunity for them to come out, have fun and learn some new things.”

Bachus said the event will kickoff with a fashion show on Saturday.

“After the fashion show, we are going to have a comedy show with professionals,” he said. “Kerry B., T-Ray Sanders and our main attraction Redbone will be performing.”

Sunday will start the competition part of the events, with the student stylist category first, Bachus said.

“We have students from Gulfport to Lafayette competing,” he said. “They will be competing with one style on a long-haired mannequin.”

Monday will feature more student competitions and then end with the Rumble on the River, Bachus said.

“This is where the professionals will compete,” he said. “Some of the best instructors in the south will be there sharing knowledge of what it takes to be a good barber.”

Bachus said there will be two competitions for the Rumble on the River, traditional cut and creative cut.

“There are going to be cash prizes and it is going to be a fun time,” he said.

Along with watching professional barbers and beauticians, Bachus said there will be booths set up for people to browse.

“Hair product booths sponsored by companies like Vitale Pro, and booths selling handbags and accessories will be there,” he said.

Booths will also be selling food, Bachus said.

“My brother, who is a chef, will be cooking food and selling it,” he said. “One booth is called Grandma’s Kitchen and she will be selling cake in a cup. I have tried it, and believe me, you want try it also.”

Bachus said this is the third time the event has been put on, but it is the first one in four years.

“We had a lot of people asking when we were going to put on another one,” he said. “We will also be bringing this back next year at the same time and same place.”

Bachus said the event will bring a lot of good to the area.

“For the people that are in this field, it will help them go back and evaluate their skills and add more to their repertoire,” he said. “And naturally it is going to bring business to this area.”

Bachus said it is $40 to attend all three days of the event, and $10 to attend the festivities on Saturday.

“It is going to be a great time,” he said. “Anyone who wants to come out and join us is invited.”