Bogalusa Summer Jam III will be grounded in Gospel music, and Lori Kates, who with her husband, Thomas, and Dracus Sartin is organizing the event, said that’s just right.

“The word says to acknowledge (God) in everything and he will direct your path,” she said. “He is the reason for us being here. This is about giving him the glory.

“I believe the community is excited. Everyone always wants to hear the word. And this year we have all genres of music, all expressions of Gospel—traditional Gospel, contemporary Gospel, Gospel rap, Gospel expression in word and poetry, and praise skits.”

The first half of the noon through 10 p.m. Saturday Jam will be devoted to making a joyful noise.

The Gospel performers include Navele Davis, a Bogalusa native who is now a musician, singer, songwriter, recording artist and record producer in the Pacific Northwest. His albums include: Down Home Praise, Worship & Praise and Live Love Everyday.

Davis is the owner of Nav’s Recording Studio and founder of the annual Gospel Festival in Tacoma, Wash.

The early Jam segment will also include: Juanita Warren, Sweet Jesus Tweetie and Raymond Williams, Gospel rapper Chill Will, Jaworski Davis Ministries, the Hays Creek Mens Choir and Life Solutions, Gospel poet Minister Trina Williams, Brother T.J. Jordan of McComb, Miss., the Robinson Family and Brother Lunder Johnson, Prophet John Hill and the New Beginnings Ministry Choir of Baton Rouge, Gospel rapper Brother Dwaine Davis aka “DA Messenger,” and Minister Nina Sims of Houston, Texas.

Photojournalist, curator and author James W. Terry will take the stage during the early segment to present the Willie Harris Collection, which includes historic photographs and artifacts, some connected with Bogalusa residents.

The Chad Harry Experience will perform from 4:30 p.m. through 5 p.m. during the intermission that links the Gospel with the Southern Soul, Rhythm and Blues, Hip-Hop and Rap segment.

Organizers also plan to present keys to the city and certificates of appreciation during the event, Kates said.

And for anybody worried about the weather, she added “there will be tents, chairs and outdoor fans for audience comfort.”

Tickets are available at Unique Fashions, Saying the Perfect Word, Just Hair, Bennies and through Glenda Hawthorne.

For additional information, call Kates at 985-241-1819.