A ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by Miss Mississippi contestants, will mark the official start of the 2013 Lincoln County Wildlife Expo, now in its fifth year and bigger than ever, according to Quinn Jordan, director of the Lincoln Civic Center, the site of the annual event.

“Everything is right on track,” said Jordan.

Friday, Sept. 13, marks the beginning of the 2013 Wildlife Expo. At 4:30 p.m., Miss Mississippi Collegiate American, High School American and Junior High American will all be on hand to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the civic center.

Susan Nash, owner of Susan’s Shoppe, a prom and pageant store in Brookhaven, will be at the ribbon cutting as well, as a key event sponsor, Jordan said.

This year the expo will include a number of new features, products and exhibits for participants to enjoy, according to Jordan. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will play a prominent role in entertaining and educating adults and children, as will the main benefactor of the expo, Woods, Wheels and Waters, a non-profit organization that takes terminally ill and handicapped individuals on fishing and hunting trips.

A crowd favorite from last year, chainsaw artist Burt Fleming of WoodBCreations, will return to the expo to sculpt giant blocks of wood into animal shapes and other creations.

Jordan says there will be more than 60 booths at the expo this year.

In a recent update, Jordan has officially announced the selection of Chris Thornhill of Brookhaven for a benefit hunt sponsored by Woods, Wheels & Waters. The hunt will take place in the next 60-90 days, and another individual will be selected at the expo, according to Jordan.

The expo will begin just after the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Visitors can visit the expo from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Friday night and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.