School spirit will be in full force Aug. 9, the date of the 10th annual citywide pep rally.

The event will kick off at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Outlets at Vicksburg, which, along with local businesses, sponsors the rally.

“We are very excited about the pep rally,” said the outlets’ Colleen Collins. “This is the 10th year, and it has been so successful. It seems like everybody … comes to see a grandchild or daughter or niece or nephew.”

Bands, cheerleaders and dance teams from Porters Chapel Academy, St. Aloysius High School, Vicksburg Junior High Vicksburg High School, Warren Central Junior High and Warren Central High School will be featured. About 1,500 people are expected to attend, Collins said.

New this year is the Back to School Bash, a concert set for later that day, at 7 p.m., in the parking lot at the outlets. 3 Fold Productions, a company that specializes in Christian hip-hop, has put together a show of local artists.

“There are things that are good, and society has caused them to get out of whack,” said Rod Henderson, a Vicksburg representative for 3 Fold Productions. If you goThe 10th annual citywide pep rally will be at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 9 in the parking lot of the Outlets at Vicksburg. A Christian hip-hop concert will follow at 7 p.m.First day of schoolVicksburg Warren School District – Aug. 4Vicksburg Community School – Aug. 6Vicksburg Catholic School – Aug. 7Porters Chapel Academy – Aug. 7″What can be good gets twisted and that has happened to hip-hop music. We’re trying to show it doesn’t have to be that way.”

Henderson, along with college friends Richard Dancer of San Antonio, Texas, and Robert Jordan of Nashville, formed the company about five years ago. They plan five to seven concerts a year, changing cities for each event but attempting to stick to places where they have contacts.

“We go in and try to work with the youths, youth pastors and local schools,” said Henderson. “It is a community effort to promote what we believe in.”

Performers will be Edmond Monroe, a Vicksburg High School graduate who goes by the stage name of Young Flame, and Mark McGraw, a Vicksburg native who goes by the stage name of Mc Toc. Another local group will perform, Henderson said, but details had not been finalized.

“My heart goes out to our young people,” said Henderson. “They’re not a lost generation; they’re just not being reached correctly. They need a positive medium and a positive way to express themselves and music is a beautiful thing. It is God inspired.”