Pull out your calendars! Natchitoches Parish has plenty to keep you busy this fall.
The Magnolia State Peace Officer’s Association will host the annual Cane River Zydeco Festival and Poker Run on September 3rd and 4th. Zydeco festivities begin on Friday at 6:00pm with music and a Zydeco dance contest. Friday night admission is free. Saturday entertainment begins at 1:00pm and lasts all day. Admission to Saturday’s events is $7.00 for persons 12 & older. All activities take place on the downtown riverbank.
Goldonna will host their annual Goldonna Drake Salt Works Festival on September 4th. This year’s festival will include a parade, live entertainment, children’s activities, arts & crafts vendors, festival food vendors, treasure hunt, ice cream-making contest and an ATV ride. Free admission. For directions, call (800) 259-1714.
Enjoy a lotta’ hotta’ meat pies, music and more at the 8th annual Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival & Poker Run on September 10th and 11th on the downtown riverbank. The two-day event will feature children’s activities, vendors, a poker run and live entertainment along with plenty of meat pies. This is a free event. Visit the Festival website at www.meatpiefestival.com.
Head out to historic Marthaville on September 17th and 18th for the 18th annual Marthaville Good Ole Days Festival. Celebrate area musical traditions with Gospel in the Park on Friday night. Saturday’s festivities begin with speeches by the congressional candidate followed by the famous parade. Throughout the day enjoy music, food, crafts and children’s activities.
The town of Robeline hosts their annual Rebeline Heritage festival on October 1st and 2nd with a Friday night dedication to young people featuring a wiener roast, games, hayride and music. Saturday events start at 11:00am with all day music, crafts, food and a parade. Visit the Festival website www.robelineheritage.org.
Natchitoches’ Downtown Historic District will return to the 50’s on October 2nd with a Classic Car Show, concessions and 50’s music. This event will be fun for the whole family and has free admission.
The 56th Annual Fall Pilgrimage: Tour of Homes will take place October 8th – 10th in Natchitoches. The Candlelight Tour takes place on Friday from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. The Town tour will take place from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday only. The Cane River Country Tour will begin at 9:00am through 4:00pm on Saturday and 9:00am to 3:00pm on Sunday. Photographs and descriptions of the homes can be found on the brochure available at the Welcome Center. Individual tours are $15 per person and discount tour packages are available. For more information or to purchase tickets visit the Natchitoches Welcome Center at 781 Front Street or call (800) 259-1714. Checks, Visa and MasterCard are accepted.
The Annual St. Augustine Church Fair will be held October 8th – 10th in the Melrose community, approximately 18 miles south of Natchitoches along Highway 484. The Fair will feature music, arts and crafts, games and church tours. Experience authentic Creole cuisine prepared by the ladies of St. Augustine Catholic Church. Free admission. Visitors are welcome to attend Mass on Saturday at 5:00pm and Sunday at 10:30am.
For more information on these or other upcoming festivals in Natchitoches Parish, click the “Natchitoches Festivals” link on www.explorenatchitoches.com or call (800) 259-1714.
