NATCHEZ — It won’t be long before Natchez starts to look a lot like Christmas.

Regina Charboneau, organizer of Christmas in Natchez, said the Web site and brochures promoting the season’s worth of special projects will be released later this week.

Charboneau updated other local tourism representatives at a meeting of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce tourism council Monday.

Christmas in Natchez was started last year to create an organized effort to attract tourists and entertain locals during the holiday season.

The season begins with a turkey gumbo cook-off and Christmas tree lighting after Thanksgiving and will continue with music, art events, tours and other holiday-themed happenings through the new year.

Charboneau said this year a post-Thanksgiving run has been added to the mix. It will be the Saturday following Thanksgiving, she said.

“All those runners in our community can get out and run off their turkey dinner,” Charboneau said.

The calendar of events is not complete and Charboneau urged other venues and groups to organize an event to showcase themselves.

“I’d encourage people to take a look at what is already on the calendar and see if they can put together an event that pairs up nicely with something already on the calendar,” she said.

The Web site, which should launch by Wednesday, is www.christmasinnatchez.com. Brochures will be placed in racks around town.

In other news

4 There will be a block party in front of Andrew’s Tavern beginning at 5 p.m. Monday to watch the New Orleans Saints Monday Night Football game.

The game will be shown on a large inflatable screen between Pearl and Wall streets.

The Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals will judge contests to name the best “Who Dat” fan and the best “Who Dat” umbrella.

The block party starts at 5 p.m. and the Natchez High School band will play at 6:30 p.m.

4 Marsha Colson said sales for Fall Pilgrimage are higher than this point last year for groups and bed and breakfast occupancy.

This year’s Fall Pilgrimage will include several new add-on events ,including Jazz and Juleps at Twin Oaks, Chopin and Champagne at the Joe Stone House and a flag raising reenactment at the House on Ellicot Hill. Those events are $25 per person.

Fall Pilgrimage is Oct. 1-15.