Oxford’s Belk Department Store has been selected for special distinction.

Out of the chain’s 300 stores, the Oxford location is one of a dozen selected to host a 130^th Anniversary party.

Oxford will host the event on Friday at the storefront in the Galleria Shopping Center on West Jackson Avenue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We were chosen because of our rich heritage and culture (in Oxford),” Oxford store manager Laura Ramsey said. “With our literary culture and food scene and the University and just being an awesome Southern city to celebrate.”

The event will feature food from Old Taylor Grocery and Aiven’s Eatery, with music provided by Tupelo disc jockey Kevin Russell. Additionally, the first 130 customers who come through the doors will be eligible to receive a gift card.

The cards will be issued in amounts between $5 and $500, Ramsey said.

Belk will also be donating $20,000 to the Oxford=Lafayette Habitat for Humanity as part of the corporation’s community outreach program called Belk: Project Hometown. The project is “designed to strengthen southern communities,” a press release from the company said.

While other 130^th Anniversary events for Belk have been held on Saturday, the Ole Miss and Auburn game prompted the store to move the celebration to Friday which Ramsey said she hopes doesn’t deter people from attending given that it is a work day for many in Oxford.

“Belk chose us to be the October store to celebrate the anniversary,” Ramsey said. “We have been planning the event since June, and we’ve just been doing a lot to get the store ready and prepared.”