The Mississippi Welcome Center is celebrating National Tourism Week with events that kick off today.

“This year’s theme is Discover Great American Traditions,” said Elmerree Bradley, supervisor of the center on Washington Street. “People will be in antebellum-style dress on Thursday, and it will be a good experience for all those who attend. Our goal is to celebrate the flavor of the communities.”

National Tourism Week, sponsored by the Travel Industry Association, is in its 25th year.

The local Welcome Center is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For information, call 601-638-4269. Local events, all scheduled to be at the center, include:

Today

Displays by Stained Glass Manor and the Gold Wing Road Riders Association; display, giveaways by Outlets at Vicksburg.

Sunday

Cake for Mother’s Day; display, giveaways by Outlets at Vicksburg.

MondayPaintings by local artists Ann B. Jones, B.J. Crawford on display, 8 a.m.-noon; displays by National Forest Service, Vicksburg’s Main Street Program, Ameristar Casino; paintings on display by Jerry McWilliams of Raymond; display, giveaways by Outlets at Vicksburg.

Tuesday

Display, cookies by Clinton Chamber of Commerce, ladies fashions of the 1860s, noon-2 p.m.; display by Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau; display, giveaways by Outlets at Vicksburg.

Wednesday

Wear red for Tourist Appreciation Day, Public Service Day; singing by blues artists Osgood & Blaque on Mississippi River; paintings by Attic Gallery owner Lesley Silver on display; cookies by Battlefield Inn, Quality Inn; display by Ridgeland Convention and Visitors Bureau, noon-2 p.m.; display by Cedar Grove Mansion; display, giveaways by Outlets at Vicksburg.

Thursday

Performance by Hinds Community College’s Dulcimer’s Creative Learning in Retirement; displays by Judy Scruggs, Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, Ameristar Casino; ladies fashions of the 1860s; representatives from Vicksburg’s Main Street Program, Ameristar, National Forest Service; paintings display by Jerry McWilliams of Raymond; display by City of Raymond; display, giveaways by Outlets at Vicksburg.

Friday

Displays by Jackson and Greenville convention and visitors bureaus, Ameristar Casino, Vicksburg’s Main Street Program; display, giveaways by Outlets at Vicksburg.

May 17

Performance by Dante’s Dulcimers, 1-3 p.m.