Rains held off long enough Saturday for hundreds of visitors toenjoy the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce’s annualTour of Homes.

“It’s been great,” said Rita Rich, event chairwoman. “All of thehomes have had a house full of people.”

Rich estimated that approximately 600-700 people attended thetour, which featured six stops. Rich said organizers had to makecopies of tickets after the 500 that were printed for the eventsold out.

“We’ve been sold out for quite a while,” Rich said earlierSaturday.

Edna Sones, manager of The Inez, said over 300 people had signedthe guest book at the former hotel that now houses apartments.Visitors included some from as far away as Houston, Texas; Monroe,La.; and Charlotte, N.C., as well as many from cities acrossMississippi.

“They’ve been very complimentary,” Sones said about visitors’reactions. “They didn’t realize we had anything like this inBrookhaven.”

The Inez was the last stop Saturday for Lynda Williams, DeloresCrook and Helen Blackwell, all of Clinton. Williams, who has alodge at Hurricane Lake in Lincoln County, invited her friends totake part in the tour.

“This is my first year to come and it’s been wonderful,”Blackwell said. “I’ve enjoyed it very much.”

Rich said she sees familiar faces every year when she travels tohomes to check on attendance and other tour activities. She saidthe faces include those of local residents as well as many from outof town.

“I appreciate that,” Rich said.

Rich said the tour featured locations that were spread outacross the county. She said visitors were able to see the city andcounty and go at their own pace.

“And the garden show’s been wonderful,” Rich said.

The Spring Gardening Extravaganza and Farmers’ Market inRailroad Park was sponsored by the Lincoln County Master Gardenersand the Lincoln County Cooperative Extension Service.

“We’ve had a lot of people come through,” said JimminettePhillips, a member of the Master Gardeners group. “This has beengreat this year and I just see it getting bigger and better.”

This year’s tour was dedicated to chamber volunteer and formerpresident Tom Moak, who assisted by leading a walking tour throughthe city’s Victorian District. Rich estimated at least 30 peoplejoined Moak for the tour.

“I was quite pleased with that,” Rich said.

Rich said she also appreciated sponsors for the chamber eventand the hard work put forth by homeowners and volunteers in gettingready for the tour. She mentioned local scout group and county jailinmates who helped clean up roadways, chamber ambassadors and theRosecraft Garden Club for providing flowers at the chamber.

“Brookhaven always looks its finest for the tour,” Richsaid.