NATCHEZ — A group of local leaders hope the community will ooh and ahh in unison tonight at a celebration of the Miss-Lou’s literal tie that binds.

The pre-Fourth of July light show will be at 8:30 p.m., when the Mississippi River bridge goes from dark to light.

The community is invited to attend a special bridge lighting ceremony starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center before the switch flips. Refreshments will be available.

Guest speakers will include Mississippi Department of Transportation Southern Commissioner Wayne Brown, MDOT Director Larry L. “Butch” Brown, Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland and Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Sherry LeBas.

The Miss-Lou Regionalism Steering Committee has organized the reception to commemorate the bridge lighting, committee member Heather Malone said.

“Physically (the bridge) is the obvious link that brings us together,” Malone said.

And the committee wants everyone to celebrate that link.

“There is a tremendous amount of excitement this project,” said Copeland, a committee member. “It’s going to bring us tourism.”

The general public is encouraged to attend the reception tonight in the convention center, but those who prefer to line the levee or the Natchez bluff will have a good view as well, Malone said.

For more stories about the bridge, including the history of its construction, see the special edition inside today’s Democrat.