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Welcome to the Natchitoches Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau web site. Whether you are visiting the area on leisure or business, or planning a meeting or event, this site will help you explore the many services and amenities that the Natchitoches area has to offer. We hope you enjoy your visit on the Internet and please contact us with further questions or for information by email or telephone.

Natchitoches the original French Colony in Louisiana retains its European flavor through its architecture, heritage and lifestyle. At the heart of this National Historic Landmark District lies Front Street, a brick thoroughfare where wrought iron balconies, restaurants and shops face the beautiful Cane River Lake. The City of Natchitoches was established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, making it the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory. The French settlement had two purposes; to establish trade with the Spanish in Texas, and at the same time, to deter Spanish advances into Louisiana. Natchitoches soon became a flourishing river port and crossroads, giving rise to vast cotton kingdoms along the river. Planters built magnificent plantations down river and built fine homes in town for social events.

Natchitoches Related Videos

The City’s Historic Landmark District, which fronts Cane River Lake and encompasses a 33-block area, includes many historic homes, churches and commercial structures. A mixture of Queen Anne and Victorian architecture, along with Creole style cottages can be seen throughout the district.

• “Steel Magnolias” the movie is based on a true story. Filmed entirely in Natchitoches and released in 1989. This enduring movie for all ages is now a classic. Writer, Robert Harling, Jr., is a native and resident of Natchitoches.
• National Historic Landmark District, only one outside of the Vieux Carre in New Orleans
• Shopping, Antiques & Kaffie-Frederick Mercantile established 1863. Oldest continuously operated business in Natchitoches.
• Museums, Historic Homes, Restaurants
• Art Galleries & walking tours.
• 2005 Dozen Distinctive Destinations: The Dozen Distinctive Destinations list recognizes communities that offer enjoyable ” and often unique ” recreational and cultural experiences for visitors. Destinations are chosen by the National Historic Trust for Preservation because their historic sites, scenic and cultural attractions, and commitment to preservation will appeal to travelers seeking an “off-the-beaten-path” getaway.

We hope you enjoy your visit on the Internet and please contact us with further questions or for information by email or telephone.

The 30th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival will be held July 17-18 in Prather Coliseum on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.

This year’s festival is themed “New Populations in Louisiana.” The 2009 theme will celebrate the importance of those cultures either new to the state or those which have sometimes been overlooked because of their cultural “invisibility” to many people.

The two day event is filled with activities, food, discussions, and music for the entire family. Tickets are $8 for an all-day pass, $5 for an evening pass, and $11 for a weekend pass which is available in advance only. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free with an accompanying adult.

The Festival begins on Friday at 5:00 p.m. with music, dancing, and door prizes. A mixture of Cajun and Zydeco music will set the tune for the night with performances by Kyle Huval & the Dixie Club Ramblers and Don Fontenot & Les Amis de Louisiane. Champ Crossno will also be giving Cajun dance lessons both Friday night and Saturday morning.

Traditional meat pies, boudin, gumbo, jambalaya, and ethnic foods will also be available to eat during the Festival.

Saturday’s festivities kick off at 8:00 a.m. with the beginning of the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship and the opening of the Kid Fest area. The Fiddle Championship will take place throughout the day with the champion performing at 6:00 p.m. Saturday night.

Kid Fest is an area set aside for activities that will teach children about folk traditions through hands on projects and crafts. The Kid Fest area will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Activities will include folktales, folk games, scavenger hunts, learning how to use chopsticks and experimenting with Japanese calligraphy.

Musical entertainment will be available throughout the day Saturday with performances by the Silayan Choir of New Orleans, Hadley Castille, Back Porch Band, Blake Brothers Bluegrass Band, Knight Train, Jesse Brown, Gail Holiday, Knight Train, Goldman Thibodeaux and more.

Other areas of interest will be narrative sessions exploring the lifestyles and customs of Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Japanese, Indian, Cajun, Italian, Korean, Czech, Hispanic and Thai cultures. Vendors will be on site offering baskets, toys, filè, bonnets, walking canes, jewelry, knives and much more.

For a complete schedule of events or more information on the Folk Festival, please call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332 or the Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 259-1714 or visit the Festival website at www.nsula.edu/folklife.

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 Burger Cook-off, Blue-Ribbon Bakeoff and hotdog 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 hotdogs, 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 p.m. to 3 p.m. Later that day, Kim Brasso and LA Boogie will perform on the Fleur de Lis from 6 p.m. 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.

Host Alton Brown explores a bayou staple, the delicious and sustainable alternative to lobster, the crawfish. Alton spotlights a local crawfish farm in Natchitoches Parish. Click here for information on this episode.

The 2009 schedule for Natchitoches’ annual Festival of Lights, held November 21 - January 6, 2010, is now available. Go to www.christmasfestival.com for up-to-date information on this year’s celebration. Check back regularly, as some information may be changed.

Additional information on the Festival can be obtained by calling the Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 259-1714. Vendors contact the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce at (318) 352-6894.

The Festival of Lights’ official brochure will be released this summer. Call (800) 259-1714 for your copy.

Never underestimate the appeal of a small town. Natchitoches, Louisiana, a town that has a population of about 18,000, was recently featured in Rand McNally, “America’s #1 Road Atlas”.

The town’s annual Christmas Festival of Lights celebration was featured the 2010 Road Atlas and Festival Guide, a piece that contains detailed information on 600 festivals and events in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Other featured Louisiana events include Mardi Gras in New Orleans and the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival in Morgan City.

Rand McNally has been in operation since 1856 and offers tools to help travelers discover, map and navigate the world. In addition to the Road Atlas, the company also produces The Thomas Guide map books, custom-made wall maps and numerous online tools.

The 256-page, 10.875” x 15.375” paperback sells for $24.95 and can be found in Wal-Mart and most book stores. The Guide can also be purchased directly from Rand McNally at www.randmcnally.com.

For more information about the Natchitoches area, visit us online at www.natchitoches.net or contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 259-1714.