NATCHEZ — Forget the Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce, the Christmas in Natchez folks are thinking gumbo this holiday season.

As Friday’s annual Christmas tree lighting approaches, officials are asking area cooks to enter their best gumbo creations for the eighth annual gumbo cook-off.

Home Bank Senior Vice President Deanna Bowser said the cook-off is just one part of the day’s events that will include children’s games, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and the annual Christmas tree lighting. Home Bank is the main sponsor of the event.

“It is a great start to the Christmas season and a wonderful community event,” Bowser said. “We are glad to be a part of it.”

The gumbo cook-off will have a few changes from previous years, Bowser said. Entries are not required to use any particular ingredient, the gumbo doesn’t have to be made on site, and the winner will be decided in a blind tasting by a panel of judges.

There is no fee to enter the contest, Bowser said.

“All we need is five gallons of gumbo for serving,” Bowser said.

The winner of the gumbo cook-off will receive a $300 cash prize, a trophy and bragging rights. Cash awards will also be given for second and third place and the best decorated booth. All winners will also receive one overnight accommodation by the Mississippi Bed and Breakfast and Natchez Bed and Breakfast associations.

For $10, gumbo lovers can buy tasting kits to taste all of the gumbo entries in this year’s contest.

Local cooks can pick up an application and a list of contest rules at any local Home Bank or visit christmasinnatchez.com.

The gumbo cook-off is just one of the many activities that will be happening Friday at the intersection of Main and Commerce streets, event organizer René Adams said.

The Christmas in Natchez committee member said the entire day, starting at 3 p.m. and ending with the Christmas tree lighting at 5:30 p.m., will be focused on families.

“It will be like the old days when families would come downtown for Christmas,” Adams said.

A North Pole Play Land will open at 3 p.m., with a rock-climbing wall, mechanical bull, obstacle course and mini carousel for small children. All of the events are free, Adams said.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance, and free hot chocolate and cookies we be available inside Home Bank. Natchez Market will be handing out free balloons during the event.

Live music will also be played on the steps of Receivable Solutions southwest of the city Christmas tree.

The evening will end magically with falling snow, a pyrotechnics show and the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m., Adams said.