NATCHEZ — Before the city blows out its 300th birthday candle, the Natchez Tricentennial Commission is making sure the 299th candle isn’t overshadowed.

The commission is hosting a community-wide event at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Natchez Visitor Reception Center to celebrate the Bluff City’s big birthday.

“We thought that the 299th birthday would be a great opportunity to invite the community to come out and have some cupcakes and lemonade,” said Jennifer Ogden Combs, executive director of the commission.

Combs said the event would also serve as an opportunity to educate the community about what’s planned for the tricentennial year, and how they can get involved.

From promoting Natchez parks to exploring arts and music in the Miss-Lou, Combs said the tricentennial year taps into a smorgasbord of interests.

“I want volunteers to get involved in something they love, something they’re curious about,” Combs said. “If you’re interested in the Grand Village (of the Natchez Indians), you might want to volunteer for something out there. Or, if you like music, then the Americana Music Triangle might be a good fit.”

Combs said those interested in volunteering with the tricentennial could fill out applications at Monday’s event, letting the commission know of their specific interest.

“There’s something for everyone,” she said.

Along with volunteer opportunities, the event will also serve as a fundraiser for the tricentennial year.

While no admission will be charged, Combs said attendees are encouraged to chip in however they can.

“We will be selling our custom tricentennial license plate tags, and if we meet our sales goal by the end of September, everyone who bought a tag will be entered into a $300 gas card drawing,” Combs said. “We’ve had calls from all over the state for this license plate.”

The commemorative plates cost $31.

Natchez National Historical Park Superintendent Kathleen Bond also encouraged residents to come out to the event to get a sneak peek of the Natchez History Minute.

The Natchez History Minute, Bond explained, will feature one minute of Natchez history for each day of the tricentennial year, recorded by a Natchez local.

“It’s exciting,” Bond said. “We will have 366 voices, each giving a little piece of Natchez history.”

Bond said the Natchez History Minute serves as a way to engage the community through social media, and reach a younger demographic.

“One of the great things about the tricentennial is it gives us the opportunity to build unity, and one of the best ways to do that is to see each other face to face,” Bond said. “I encourage everyone to come out Monday. It’s going to be a party.”

For more information on the tricentennial, visit natchezms300.com.