About 200 hounds from around the country and their owners will begin competing for the 2009 American Coon Hunters Association World Championship on Thursday night in Vicksburg.

The three-day event officially kicks off with an opening ceremony at the Vicksburg Riding Club on U.S. 61 North at 5 p.m.

However, the public is also invited to join the hunters at a pulled pork dinner at 4 p.m., presented by Warren County 4-H. The Cost is $7 per plate.

For the coon hunt, dogs must be registered for the hunt by 6 p.m. Thursday, and those who have not previously qualified for the ACHA World Championship can pay an extra $50 fee in addition to the regular $100 registration fee to join the hunt.

The half-dozen evening hunts will be throughout Warren, Yazoo and Sharkey counties, as well as Madison, Richland and Tensas parishes across the Mississippi River

The Vicksburg Riding Club will also host a working dog bench show at 3 p.m. on Friday, and the ACHA World Championship Bench Show on Saturday at 2 p.m. A youth bench show will follow on Saturday at 4 p.m. The events are free. More information is available by calling Mel Malone at 601-638-1110.