NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA … The Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival will celebrate its 34th annual event on June 13 and 14, 2009 at historic Melrose Plantation.
The Festival will feature more than 120 craftsmen from at least ten states. The Festival, sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches, will include many artists such as Arthur and Karen Cormier, who is returning to the Festival this year.
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.
Other items to be displayed and sold include wooden sculptures, ironwork, handcrafted jewelry, unique yard art and handmade candles.
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 $5 for the two days.
Melrose Plantation is located 14 miles south of Natchitoches on Hwy. 119. For more information about the festival, contact Alice Bryant at (318) 352-5640 or abryant@earthlink.net or visit the online festival site www.preservenatchitoches.org.
For information about Natchitoches, accommodations, or more upcoming events, visit www.natchitoches.net or call 800-259-1714.
