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NATCHEZ — Soul Food Fusion Festival’s founder Jarita Frazier King said while she was growing up, her family dinners “knew no color.”
Once anyone — friend or neighbor — sat down at the table they immediately became family, she said. Five years ago, King wanted to bring that same feeling to the Natchez on a community-wide scale.

“No better way to do that than with food and music,” she said.

This weekend, starting Friday, Sept. 20, through Saturday, Sept. 21, is the fifth-annual Soul Food Fusion Festival. The event will bring to Natchez social media influencers and food critics Darryl Hobson — known for his reviews of food with his dogs Levern and Shirley — and Chef BeBop Nola who fuses together humor and New Orleans food nostalgia.

Featured chef Jeri Carter of the Queens Reward Meadery will also be at the Soul Food Fusion Festival to delight participants’ palates with incredible flavors.

King said the festival is steadily growing and has attracted the attention of other cities like Tupelo and Jackson, which want her to start a community table event in those places as well.

“It started right here in Natchez and we’re looking to expand it,” she said. “Other communities like the concept and it’s growing.”

Festivities start Friday next to Soul Fusion restaurant at 408 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. with the free-to-attend BBQ Blues and Brews event. There will be music and vendors. Non-food vendors are welcome on a first-come-first-serve basis with no charge for Friday’s event, King said. Free activities continue all day Saturday with family activities on the Natchez bluff all day followed by an adult-only party in the evening from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Community Dining Table white linen event.

Tickets to sit at the table and enjoy food and wine tastings are $30 each.

Event proceeds will support scholarships for a workforce development opportunity in Natchez, a commercial driver dispatch training class being offered at the Joe Frazier Extended Education and Cultural Enrichment Center, which is at the former Joseph Frazier Elementary School.

This is a work education opportunity perfect for anyone interested in working remotely, King said.

The white attire is symbolic in African culture of purity and new beginnings, but anyone is welcome, King said.

“We’re like church. Come as you are,” she said. “We invite everyone to wear your white and come sit at the table.”

King thanked the event’s title sponsors including the City of Natchez, Visit Natchez, Concordia Band & Trust Co., Home Bank, Alcorn State University’s Culture and Learning Center, Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency, Natchez Grand Hotel and The Guest House, for making this event possible.

Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Those who are unable to attend but want to support the Joe Frazier Extended Education and Cultural Enrichment Center can donate there as well, King said.

A few sponsors ordered extra tickets, so for a limited time there is a Buy One Get One sale that ends at midnight or sooner if tickets run out, she said.

Those interested in becoming a vendor or in the BOGO sale can contact King directly at 601-807-1008 or 601-807-1751.