Category: Press Releases
Downtown Natchitoches will kick off the holiday season during “Turn on the Holidays� on Saturday, Nov. 22.
“Turn on the Holidays� is an entire day of free family entertainment in downtown Natchitoches that will serve as the official start of the Festival of Lights season for the City of Natchitoches. The highlight of the event will be the official turning on of thousands of Christmas lights that illuminate the Natchitoches Historic District through the first week of January.
“Turn on the Holidays� is part of Louisiana Main to Main: A Cultural Road Show, which is designed to showcase the Louisiana Main Street Program and foster economic development for Louisiana Main Street communities. Throughout November, Main Street communities across the state will host various events and activities that promote cultural tourism. Louisiana Main to Main showcases the interconnectivity of unique and diverse, cultural and historical, natural and creative Louisiana resources across the state.
Natchitoches’ events begin at noon on Saturday, Nov. 22 with family fun in the downtown area. Highlights include performances by Jelly and CeCe the Clown, magic shows and face painting. Musical entertainment will begin at noon and last throughout the evening.
Children’s activities include Christmas ornament painting in conjunction with the Natchitoches Art Guild and Gallery, Creole doll making with the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, the Natchitoches Parish Library Bookmobile, inflatables and a rock wall.
Other cultural activities that will take place during the day include food demonstrations on file’, boudin, cracklins and tamales and living history displays representing area State Parks.
The evening will be capped off with the official lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. on the downtown stage immediately followed by a fireworks show over Cane River Lake. After the fireworks, music will continue until 9 p.m.
These events are free to the public. Sponsorship for these events was made possible by grants from the Office of the Lt. Governor, Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and the National Park Service Preserve America.
In conjunction with the Nov. 22 official kick-off, downtown merchants will sponsor their annual Holiday Open House. Downtown merchants will be open late to showcase their holiday merchandise including home décor, books, clothing, collectibles and various gift items.
“Turn on the Holidays� will kick off Natchitoches’ holiday season as the City prepares for the 82nd Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival on Saturday, Dec. 6. The festival will feature an assortment of family-filled activities including a children’s parade, general parade, crafts shows, children’s activities, music, food and a spectacular fireworks show.
For more information about “Turn on the Holidays�, call the Main Street Office at (318) 352-2746. For more information about the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, visit www.christmasfestival.com.
For more information about Main to Main, please visit www.louisianamaintomain.org.
