The Saints will go marching into Vicksburg Tuesday for a meet-and-greet with fans at the Good Shepherd Community Center.

Former Ole Miss star Deuce McAllister and ex-Mississippi College standout Fred McAfee will lead the four-player contingent into the River City as part of the Eastern Regional Caravan. The event is sponsored by the United Way of West Central Mississippi.

“They are going to be in Monroe earlier that day, and I got a phone call asking if I wanted them to stop in Vicksburg,” United Way president Barbara Tolliver said. “I said, ‘Yes!'”

McAllister and McAfee are scheduled to be joined by defensive lineman Charles Grant and return specialist Michael Lewis.

Lewis, known to Saints fans as the Beer Man, gained notoriety after making the team without any college experience. Before playing for the Saints, Lewis drove a beer truck.

Saints coach Jim Haslett, general manager Mickey Loomis and members of the Saintsations dance team also will appear.

“For several years now, the Saints organization has made a concerted effort to reach out to fans across the Gulf South,” said Arnold D. Fielkow, executive vice president of administration. “We will emphasize the Saints community relations … through a children’s outreach stop in conjunction with the Vicksburg United Way.”

The caravan is scheduled to arrive at about 3 p.m. at the United Way offices on Cherry Street. The Saints will then travel down Cherry Street with a police escort to the Good Shepherd Community Center at 629 Cherry Street.

“We want to welcome them to Vicksburg with a big splash,” said Tolliver, who said she is not a football fan but, “will be a Saints fan on the 10th.”

At Good Shepherd players and coaches will sign autographs and refreshments will be served. The program is scheduled to last about 1 1/2 hours before the caravan moves on to Jackson.

“We are hoping for a real nice turnout,” Tolliver said.

McAllister played high school ball at Forest High before moving on to Ole Miss. He was the 23rd overall selection in the 2001 draft and has rushed for 4,194 yards and scored 31 touchdowns.

McAfee, a 14-year veteran, played running back at Mississippi College and was a college teammate of current Hinds AHS football coach Michael Fields.

Grant, a hulking 6-foot, 3-inch, 290-pounder, is entering his fourth season after playing college ball at Georgia.