NATCHEZ — Extraordinary Mississippians will be honored this weekend during the 26th annual Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration.

The winter weather will continue throughout the weekend with temperatures getting as low as 27 degrees today. Sunday is expected to reach 67 degrees with a 90 percent chance of rain.

Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration

The 26th annual NLCC will begin today and continue through Saturday at the Natchez Convention Center.

The theme of the annual celebration is “Bigger Than Life: Extraordinary Mississippians.”

This year, the event’s advisory committee worked to include new elements that would appeal to residents of all ages.

Programs include a luncheon featuring the recipes of the late Craig Claiborne, the long-time New York Times food writer, a multimedia musical program based on Mississippi poet Margaret Walker and a special reception at the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture.

The writing awards ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday during NLCC’s Family Day and will award the Richard Wright Literary Excellence Award to Glen Ballard, Robert Haynes and Myrlie Evers-Williams.

The conference is free except for three events, which require tickets purchased in advance: The Margaret Walker Concert, $10, Craig Claiborne luncheon, $25, and the NLCC’s only fundraiser, a reception and dinner at King’s Tavern, $145.

The opening ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. Friday at the Natchez Convention Center and feature Copiah-Lincoln Community College President Ronnie Nettles, Natchez Mayor Butch Brown and William Winter, NLCC director of proceedings.

Black History Expo — “A Stroll Through Memory Lane”

The Black History Expo will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the corner of Franklin and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Streets.

Venders, arts and crafts, entertainment, food and social service agencies are welcome to attend.

NLCC pre-conference movie screening

A pre-conference screening of “Mud” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. today at the Natchez Convention Center.

The film is written by Jeff Nichols, who will win the Horton Foote Award for special achievement in screenwriting at this year’s NLCC.

The screening is free and open to the public.

Armstrong Library movie night

Judge George W. Armstrong Library will screen “The 100 Foot Journey” from 5 to 7 p.m. today.

Free popcorn and drinks will be provided.

The library is located on 220 S Commerce St. in downtown Natchez.

Carolyn Vance Smith Celebration

Carolyn Vance Smith, the founder and co-chairperson of the NLCC, is set to retire from her position.

In honor of her retirement, a reception will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Historic Natchez Foundation.

Hosts are Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Friends of the NLCC.

Smith founded the award-winning conference 26 years ago.

Historic Natchez Foundation is located on 108 S. Commerce St. in downtown Natchez.

Friday Forum

The Friday Forum will take place at 8 a.m. Friday at the Natchez Coffee Company on Franklin Street.

Forest Thigpen from the Mississippi Center for Public Policy will be in attendance to discuss the state of public education.