Spring in Natchez means several things: blooming flowers, tourists from around the world, warm temperatures and kickball.

It is time for the Annual Leadership Natchez Kickball Tournament: Kickball for a Cause. Please join us Saturday, April 8, at Duncan Park with kickball games beginning at 9 a.m. that morning on the Sprague-Goussett and Carroll Jones fields, and the tournament will run to mid-afternoon. Food and drinks will be available for sale, at what is sure to be a fun spring day! The members of Leadership Natchez have chosen to donate all funds raised this year to purchase new equipment for the playground area at Duncan Park.

Leadership Natchez is a program that is a division of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce.  The purpose of Leadership Natchez is to identify, educate, and inspire leaders to serve our community.  This year’s Leadership Natchez class is comprised of 17 members from 17 different businesses in the Natchez area.  We meet monthly to learn about everything that makes our city such a wonderful place.  Our days have included in depth tours and interviews with people in Social Services, City & County Governments, Education, Health Services and Economic Development, just to name a few. We have given back as well this year by volunteering at the Great Mississippi River Balloon Races, and entering our “Throwback Float” into the Krewe of Phoenix Parade, which benefits Pleasant Acres Day School. Other fundraisers include our traveling Flamingo Flock, and we will be assisting the Young Professionals with their Color Natchez 5K in May. This kickball tournament will greatly further our efforts by raising funds for updating the playground equipment for our area youth to enjoy.

We think the most enjoyable way to participate is to enter a team.  We allow 12 teams to enter the tournament (on a first come, first served basis).  Each team is allowed a maximum of 12 players, and at least two players must be female. Entrance fees are $200.

The other way to participate is to be a sponsor.  Sponsorships start at $150 and go up to $1,000.  We have a sponsorship level for all business sizes and would greatly appreciate your support.  For more information, please feel free to contact me at emaxwell13@gmail.com.

Leadership Natchez would like to thank the community for all their support as we strive to improve upon the city we love.  Please join us for Kickball For A Cause and help us improve the Duncan Park playground for all to enjoy. We can’t wait to see everyone on April 8!
Emily Maxwell is the Secretary for Leadership Natchez Class of 2017.