By LAUREN WEST

The Natchez Democrat

Today the nation celebrates Father’s Day, a time to honor fathers for all they do, and Natchez residents are no exception.

Below is how some Natchez area residents say they plan to celebrate Father’s Day.

Shaunta Strauder, 25, of Natchez, said, for her, Father’s Day is an opportunity for “mothers to show appreciation to all fathers.”

Kaitlyn Marshall, 14 of Keller, Texas, who is visiting her grandmother, Sharon LaRavia of Lake St. John, said, “My dad does a lot to support our family, and I know that he loves me very much so I think that we all should celebrate that.”

Darrius Owens, 25, of Natchez said he plans to get some quality time in the great outdoors.

“We just plan on relaxing together and taking my son to the park,” Owens said.

For some, celebrating also extends to teaching children skills.

“We are going to the lake. My boys love to fish, and I am teaching them how to fish,” said Phillip Jones, 28, of Lake Bruin.

Sharing a good meal is always a good choice for celebrating Father’s Day.

“We are going to have a barbeque,” said Katelyn Heidel, 30, of Natchez.

Sharon LaRavia, said her father instilled in her the importance of education, and similarly, John Hudson said his father always instilled in him the importance of “simply being truthful and having integrity.”

Katelyn Heidel, 30, of Natchez, said to her a father is “someone who is going to be there through the good and the bad times.”

While Father’s Day is an opportunity to express gratitude to fathers, it also is a time for gift giving.

National Retail Federation expects national spending on Father’s Day will be $15.3 billion, and on average, the consumer will spend approximately $133 per person, treating dad to dinner, fancy electronics or clothing.

Most fathers are happy to receive any gestures from the heart.

“My sons gave me a football with their handprints on it,” Jones said. “I still have it on my shelf.”

Marshall said she prefers to make her dad a card.

“I usually like making cards, because they are more heartfelt,” Marshall said.