Natchitoches Parish: October Events

Robeline Heritage Festival, downtown Robeline, Louisiana, October 2-3, Friday: 5 – 9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - until . Robeline, Louisiana, located about 15 miles west of Natchitoches, will celebrate its heritage with live entertainment, games, children's activities, arts and crafts, a parade and food. Guest performances by Trini Triggs and Becky Birdwell & Roadhouse.
Admission is free; For more information call 800-259-1714 or visit www.robelineheritage.org

Return to the 50's Classic Car Show in downtown Natchitoches on October 3, from 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Natchitoches Historic District will return to the 50's with a classic car show, 50's music by "Shake, Rattle and Roll", concessions and, of course, shopping.
Admission is free. www.natchitoches.net

55th Annual Fall Pilgrimage from October 9-11, The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches presents the 55th annual Fall Pilgrimage/Tour of Homes. The Tour includes plantations, town homes and homes seen in the movie "Steel Magnolias." Proceeds from the annual tour benefit the historic and cultural preservation of properties owned by APHN. Time varies by tour. Admission: $15 individual tour; $30 two-tour package; $40 three-tour package – discounted tickets available in advance and for groups 800-259-1714 www.natchitoches.net

St. Augustine Catholic Church Fair, October 9-11, Friday: 6:30–10 p.m./Saturday 8 a.m.–11:30 p.m./Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Experience authentic Creole cuisine, music, games and a jaunt through historic Isle Brevelle. Masses will continue throughout the weekend and guests are encouraged to attend Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. St. Augustine Catholic Church, Melrose, Louisiana. Admission is free. For more information call 318-379-2521. www.natchitoches.net

Natchitoches Art Guild Art Walk, downtown Historic District, October 16 at 5 p.m. Maps and brochures will guide tourists and art connoisseurs through the downtown Historic District where professional artists will display their art and "meet and greet" patrons. Many businesses will be open late offer light refreshments. Musical entertainment will help to guide you along the Art Walk path. Admission is free. Natchitoches Art Guild & Gallery, 318-352-1626 or www.natchitoches.net.

Thunder on the River Christian Motorcycle Rally, October 16-18 from noon on Friday. Presented by Paul Lever Ministries this will be the first Christian Motorcycle Rally to be held in Natchitoches. Thousands of bikers will head to the historic city to spread God’s message. This is a family-friendly event. Activities include fun run, guest speakers, bike show, vendors and entertainment. Admission is free.800-259-1714 or www.thunderontheriver.com

Caddo Adai Pow-Wow, October 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Adai Indian Community on Hwy. 485 will host their annual Pow Wow on the grounds of the Adai Indian Cultural Center. Festivities include arts and crafts, food, traditional Indian dances and more! Bring your lawn chair. Free admission. For more information call 318-472-1007. Adai Caddo Indian Nation, Highway 485, Robeline, LA Adai Caddo Indian Community 318-472-1007 or www.AdaiIndianNation.com

Hauted History Tour, October 31 from 5-9 p.m.. The Natchitoches Historic Foundation invites you to find out what's haunted about Natchitoches while being terrifically entertained as it resurrects some of the most colorful characters in the history of the Louisiana Purchase. The Spirit Hunters Paranormal Investigations will once again be in town to report their findings.
Location of Event: American Cemetery, Second Street. Admission: Admission $10 for adults and $5 for children and students. Tickets available at the Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission, 781 Front Street and at the American Cemetery during the Tour. 800-259-1714 or www.historicfoundation.org

Witch Way to Main Street, October 31 at 5 p.m. in downtown Natchitoches. Downtown trick-or-treating and activities for children 12 and under. Participants will be allowed to trick-or-treat at participating downtown businesses. Children must be in costume and accompanied by an adult to participate. Activities include face painting, a tour of the "haunted" Natchitoches Parish Library bookmobile, Sparky the Fire Dog, McGruff the Crime Dog and games. The Order of Omega from NSU will host their Halloween Carnival downtown. Admission is free. 866-941-6246 or www.natchitoches.net

Source: Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Celebration on the Cane set for July 4th

Free event to feature children’s activities, music, fireworks and more

Enjoy an old fashioned country fair family day at Celebration on the Cane, Natchitoches’ Fourth of July celebration.

The day kicks off at 9 a.m. with the Cane River Green Market, Natchitoches’ only local farmers market. Besides fresh produce, customers can choose from a selection of “value-added products” including farm fresh eggs, breads, jams, honey and much more. Craft vendors will have handmade items such as woodwork, jewelry and art.

A children’s patriotic parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the Natchitoches Events Center parking lot, located at 750 Second St. The parade will take place throughout the Historic District, ending at Bank of Montgomery. There is no fee to enter the parade and prizes will be awarded for best costume and best decorated.

Children’s activities will take place throughout the day including water activities, arts and crafts, fair games, a karaoke contest, dunking booth and cake walk. Other activities include a BBQ contest, Blue-Ribbon Bakeoff and hot dog and pie eating contests.

Food vendors will be selling fair type foods throughout the day and picnic blankets will be provided for families to enjoy lunch on the downtown riverbank. Green Market vendors will have hot dogs, pies, tamales, watermelons and beverages.

Beauregard’s Courtesy will provide live musical entertainment from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the downtown riverbank followed by the Detention Center Choir from 1 to 3 p.m. Later that day, Kim Brasso and LA Boogie will perform on the Fleur de Lis from 6 to 9 p.m.

The evening will culminate with a fireworks show over Cane River Lake that will take place at approximately 9 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.natchitoches.net or call the Natchitoches Main Street Office at 866-941-6246 or the Natchitoches Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-259-1714.

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The Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival will celebrate its 34th annual event on June 13 and 14, 2009 at historic Melrose Plantation.

More than 100 craftsmen from at least eight states will be on hand displaying and selling wooden sculptures, ironwork, handcrafted jewelry, unique yard art and handmade candles. Returning to the Festival this year will be okra-pod artist, Kathy Tate Davis, who specializes in carving roosters, Santas, witches and many other figures from dried okra pods.

Children’s book author Kathy Whitehead will make an appearance at the Festival this year. Whitehead’s picture book, Art From the Heart, was inspired by a trip to Melrose Plantation and examines the life and art of African-American artist Clementine Hunter who lived on the plantation.

And of course there will be famous Natchitoches meat pies and other regional foods. There is a $5 admission fee for adults, $2 for children age’s six to 12, and under age six is free. Tours of the main house and the African House will be available for $5.

The Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival is sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches. Visit their site at www.preservenatchitoches.org.

Melrose Plantation is located 18 miles south of Natchitoches at 3533 Hwy. 119. For vendor information, contact 318-352-5640.

For information about Natchitoches, accommodations or more upcoming events, visit www.natchitoches.net or call 800-259-1714.

Photo Credit: Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau