From staff reports

“A Taste of Vicksburg,” a food and theater event, is “back by popular demand,” Westside Theatre Foundation members say.

The second annual event will be Saturday night at The Vicksburg on Clay Street. It will feature dishes from local eateries as well as a performance of “Gold in the Hills.”

“We were really successful last year,” said Jack Burns, a Westside member who plays the villain in “Gold.” “We’re hoping this is the start of a long tradition.”

Tickets for the 6 p.m. event are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for children. Reservations are recommended and may be made by visiting the apartment office at The Vicksburg from 9 to noon or 1 to 5 Monday-Friday.

Food offerings will include desserts, deli items and traditional Southern fare. Patrons may sample the food, then head into the Coral Room at The Vicksburg for the show.

“It’s the best deal in town,” said Buddy Hallberg, a Westside member and longtime “Gold” performer.

“Gold in the Hills” is listed in the “Guinness Book of World Records” as the world’s long-est-running melodrama, and features members of the audience throwing peanuts at the villain.

“A Taste of Vicksburg” is spearheaded by Westside member Kiely McKellar, who has played Mamie, queen of the bowery, in “Gold.”

If you go

The second annual “A Taste of Vicksburg” will be Saturday night at The Vicksburg on Clay Street. Food will be available at 6:15, and the curtain for “Gold in the Hills,” performed by the Westside Theatre Foundation, will open at 7. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for ages 60 and older and $15 for 12 and younger. Reservations are recommended and may be made at the apartment  office at The Vicksburg from 9 a.m to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday -Friday. Call 601-636-4146 for information.

On the menu

Sponsors and food suppliers include:

• Brewer Construction

• Buckaroos at Mississippi Hardware

• Cracker Barrel

• Cuzz’s Bar-B-Que

• Edith Fife

• Eli’s Treehouse Restaurant & Sports Grill

• Fox’s Pizza

• Goldie’s Express

• Helen’s Florist

• Highway 61 Coffehouse

• Horseface Harry’s at the Klondyke

• Frontier Outpost

• Jax House of Pies

• McAlister’s Deli

• Martin’s at Midtown

• Monsour’s at The Biscuit Company

• Paper Plus

• Rowdy’s Family Restaurant

• Rusty’s Riverfront Grill

• Shoney’s

• Sun Koon Restaurant

• The Tamale Place

• Toney’s Restaurant and Lounge

• Walnut Hills