The Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival will celebrate its 34th annual event on June 13 and 14, 2009 at historic Melrose Plantation.
More than 100 craftsmen from at least eight states will be on hand displaying and selling wooden sculptures, ironwork, handcrafted jewelry, unique yard art and handmade candles. Returning to the Festival this year will be okra-pod artist, Kathy Tate Davis, who specializes in carving roosters, Santas, witches and many other figures from dried okra pods.
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.
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 available for $5.
The Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival is sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches. Visit their site at www.preservenatchitoches.org.
Melrose Plantation is located 18 miles south of Natchitoches at 3533 Hwy. 119. For vendor information, contact Alice Bryant at (318) 352-5640 or abryant@earthlink.net.
For information about Natchitoches, accommodations or more upcoming events, visit www.natchitoches.net or call 800-259-1714.
