More than 400 visitors from across the country will be making their way to the River City next week for the first ever Vicksburg BTS (Beautiful Table Settings) Bash. The three-day event will run from Thursday until Saturday at the Levee Street Warehouse, 1609 Levee St. and will include guest speakers, vendors, antique appraisals, and lunches provided by local caterer William Furlong.

“We are super pumped about this event,” Vicksburg resident Jennifer Coulter said. “I just think it is going to be fabulous.”

Bashes — founded by May Eason, who also started the BTS Facebook group, which now has more than 200,000 members, are conferences that bring together members as well as any others who enjoy the art of table setting. Vicksburg’s Bash will be Eason’s third. The first two were held in her hometown of Wetumpka, Ala.

Coulter, along with Vicksburg real-estate agent and Bed and Breakfast owner Harley Caldwell have both been instrumental in making the local event happen. Coulter initiated the idea of reaching out to Eason and Caldwell followed through by inviting her to Vicksburg with hopes she would consider holding a Bash here.

Eason was thoroughly impressed with the hospitality she was shown back in the spring when she visited, as well as the city of Vicksburg itself. Therefore, before leaving to go back home, a date for a Vicksburg Bash was set and guests speakers booked.

Speakers include Justin Peters, an antique specialist from the Antiques Roadshow and master storyteller Jim Gatling will be on hand to share some of his interesting tales.

“He is from Arkansas and is a retired art teacher,” Eason said of Gatling. “And he has some crazy stories. He talks about his mother and grandmother and his aunt Dot and TT— he is just so funny.”

Eason will also serve as a featured speaker and will focus on February Tablescapes.

Local speakers include Margie Steckler, the owner of Sassafras and The Social Butterfly; Debbie Peacock of Big Fun Ballons by Debbie; Geni Fulcher, former owner of The Ivy Place and Furlong, who will share with the group “The Art of Plating.”

There will be 27 vendors at the Bash with wares that include fine linens, china, silver, and crystal. An appraiser, who also brings antique pieces, Eason said, will be at the Bash and custom monogramers.

Eason said items sold are generally things that can be used “around a tabletop.”

The Bash will kick off at 4:30 p.m. Thursday with a wine and cheese reception. Shopping with vendors will also be available until 7:30 p.m.

The Bash will run from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday with lunch being served on both days from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Tickets, which include all events, lunches, the wine and cheese reception, access to vendors and a gift bag are $130 and are available at https://www.eventcreate.com/e/beautiful-table-settings-ba. Tickets are limited and must be purchased by midnight Jan. 14. For more information, call 601-529-3161.

Eason said she is excited about the Bash in Vicksburg.

“The numbers are good; the vendors are great, and the speakers are good,” she said. “I think Vicksburg will be impressed.”