Summer Festival Fun

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Summer has made its way to Natchitoches, and the season has brought plenty of events and activities for families to enjoy.

On June 4th -5th, the Natchitoches Area Jaycees will host the first-ever Cookin’ on the Cane BBQ Festival in downtown Natchitoches.  Held on the downtown riverbank, this cook-off is open to both professional and non-professional cooks.  There will also be a children’s BBQ chicken cook-off open to ages 5-16.  This event is an IBCA competition. For more information about the event, please visit www.natchitochesjaycees.com/bbq.

One of the highlights of the summer season is the annual Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival, one of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the South. For nearly 40 years, hundreds of craft vendors have displayed their items on the grounds of historic Melrose Plantation in southern Natchitoches Parish. This year’s festival will take place on June 12 and 13 from 9:00am to 5:00pm. House tours will also be available. For more information about the Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival, please call the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 259-1714 or visit www.natchitoches.net.

The Cane River Green Market, Natchitoches’ local farmer’s market, will remain open every Saturday this summer through July 31st from 8:00am to 12:00noon on the downtown riverbank in the Natchitoches Historic District.

Dozens of vendors participate in the market, offering fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, value-added items such as honey, jams, jellies, baked goods, etc. as well as hand-crafted items including woodwork, jewelry and stained glass. The market regularly features live musical entertainment, children’s activities and demonstrations. For more information about the market or to learn how to become a vendor, please call the Green Market office at (318) 352-CRGM or visit www.canerivergreenmarket.com.

Whether you are attending a special event or just visiting, there is always something to do this summer in Natchitoches. For more information on any of these events or the City of Natchitoches, please visit the City’s web site at www.natchitochesla.gov.