NATCHEZ — Three area highare schools will celebrate homecoming this weekend, and the competition, like the weather, is heating up.

It should be a warm weekend with periods of sun with high temperatures in the low- to mid-90s and low temperatures in the mid- to upper-50s.

Friday Forum

Friday Forum will meet at 8 a.m. Friday at the Natchez Coffee Company. The topics will be the Parchman Ordeal and the upcoming Natchez Fall Pilgrimage.

Executive director of the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture Darrell White said the Parchman Ordeal is an incident in Natchez’s Civil Rights history during which more than 700 people were arrested for parading without a permit. Approximately 200 people were then taken to Parchman Penitentiary.

Alcorn State University and the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce co-sponsor Friday Forums. All are welcome to attend the free event.

First Presbyterian Church Missions Dinner

If you are looking for a bite to eat before the big game, look for barbecue brisket, chicken and dumplings, gumbo and fried catfish at the First Presbyterian Church Missions Dinner.

Chefs from the First Presbyterian Church in Natchez will cook gourmet dishes Friday evening for one of the church’s biggest fundraisers for international missions.

International Missions Chairman Lee Jones said the event always draws a big crowd and helps the church fund missions in Haiti, Brazil and Mexico, along with local work with the Natchez Stewpot, Habitat for Humanity and prison ministries.

Men from the church will be offering heaping plates of delectable dishes for $15 a person starting at 5:30 p.m. All of the money from the event goes to the mission funds, Jones said.

“We all know the men can cook meat, but they also do white beans, creamed corn and so much more,” Jones said. “And I am told that Ron Miller is bringing cobbler. If anybody knows Ron, knows he can flat-out cook dessert. It is going to be good.”

The event will be at Jones’ house at 91 Providence Road. Valet parking will be offered.

Children are welcome and will, have the opportunity to feed donkeys on the property, Jones said.

The event will last until 7:30 p.m., Jones said.

“It will give everybody an opportunity to come out and enjoy some good food before the game,” he said.

Friday night football

Adams County Christian School, Trinity Episcopal Day School and Cathedral School will all celebrate homecoming.

ACCS will face Brookhaven Academy, Trinity will go head to head with Porter’s Chapel Academy and Cathedral will go up against Parklane Academy.

Across the river, rivals Ferriday and Vidalia will face off at Vidalia. Delta Charter will travel to Grant to take on Grant High School.

All games start at 7 p.m.

Bark in the Park

Get ready to wag your tails for the 23rd annual Bark in the Park at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.

Pet owners will have the chance to show off their pets in contests such as cutest puppy (six weeks to four months), most handsome male and Mr. and Miss NACHS.

Dogs of all breeds can enter, but for the Mr. and Miss NACHS competition, contestants must have been adopted from the shelter. The entry fee is $2 per dog.

The fundraiser will begin at 10 a.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children.

British car show

The next British invasion arrives Saturday, with Mississippi’s English Motoring Club hosting a free British car show.

More than 60 examples of vintage British vehicles are expected to be at the show, including Jaguars, Triumphs and Austin-Healeys.

The show will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the bluff, adjacent to Rosalie. The public is welcome to attend.

Pet Adoption week

Anyone looking for a furry friend and a good time should head down to Tractor Supply Co. Saturday for their pet adoption event in honor of Pet Appreciation Week.

Organizations such as the Natchez-Adams Humane Society, Elaine Steckler Riding Club, Griffin Pythons and Samantha Sivils Pet Photography will be present at the event for demonstrations, pet photos, a reptile expose and the adoption.

“The store will be giving away the free pet food samples and the free pet toys,” sales associate Tommy Heathcoat said.

Events begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. at Tractor Supply Co. at 780 U.S. 61 N.