Friday’s activities begin at 5 p.m. and include children’s activities, entertainment by DJ Doc Couty and High Caliber. Saturday activities begin at 10 a.m. with registration for the River Run and opening ceremonies.

Music will continue all day with a morning performance by the Natchitoches Central High School Band and Lacour Trio. Afternoon performances include Relix, Hippy Smith Band and Extreme Caution.

A large children’s activity area will be available featuring games, arts and crafts, inflatable jumps, mechanical bull and much more.

The 11th annual River Run will be held in conjunction with the annual Meat Pie Festival. The run is open to all riders and proceeds benefit non-profit organizations in Natchitoches. The ride is sponsored by the Independent Riders of Natchitoches.

This is a free event and the public is asked to bring their lawn chairs. No ice chests will be allowed into the festival area. For a complete schedule of events visit the Festival website at www.meatpiefestival.com or call the Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-259-1714.

Zydeco festivities begin on Friday, September 4 at 6:00 PM with music by D.J. “LA” Jones and a Zydeco dance contest. There is a no admission charge for Friday night events. Saturday entertainment begins at 1:00 PM and will feature D.C. and the Zydeco Country Boyz followed by Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames. There is a $7 admission charge for Saturday events. All activities take place on the downtown riverbank.

The village of Goldonna is located in the northeast corner of Natchitoches Parish on Highway 156. This year’s festival on Saturday, September 4 will include a parade, children’s activities, arts & crafts vendors, festival food vendors, live entertainment by gospel and country groups, and an ATV ride from Goldonna to Winnfield.

For information on accommodations or directions please call the Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-259-1714 or visit www.natchitoches.net.

This year’s festival is themed “Traditional Remedies: Folklife During Times of Adversity.” The 2010 theme will focus on ingenious folk solutions people find when times are tough. From singing to putting tobacco on bee stings, Louisiana culture is rich with age-old folk remedies.

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 dance lesson. A mixture of Cajun and country music will set the tune for the night with performances by Sean Vidrine & da’ Classics, Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue and Jambalaya Cajun Band. Champ Crossno will also be giving Cajun dance lessons both Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Saturday’s festivities kick off at 8:30 a.m. with the beginning of the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, opening of the Kid Fest area and the beginning of the narrative sessions. The Fiddle Championship will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with the champion performing at 12 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

Kid Fest is an area dedicated to child-friendly activities and is a fun way for children to examine their own cultural and family traditions as well as those from around the state. The Kid Fest area will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Activities will include storytelling, cake walk, tea party, butter churning and several arts and crafts .

Musical entertainment will be available throughout the day Saturday with performances by the Southern Harvest, Hadley Castille, Back Porch Band, D.L. Menard, Hezekiah Early, Knight Train, Jambalaya Cajun Band, Gail Holiday, Shekinah Gloery COGIC, Goldman Thibodeaux and more.

Other areas of interest will be narrative sessions exploring the traditions of herbalists, gardens and organic food; louisiana music; Creole Traiteurs, canning and preserving; Juneteenth celebrations, South Lousiana Traiteurs and more.

Traditional meat pies, boudin, gumbo, jambalaya, and ethnic foods will also be available to eat during the Festival. Vendors will be on site offering baskets, toys, filè, bonnets, walking canes, jewelry and knives.

For a complete schedule of events or more information on the Folk Festival, please call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332 or visit them online at www.nsula.edu/folklife. For updated information about upcoming events and festivals in Natchitoches, visit www.natchitoches.net.

Enjoy a free live concert on Sunday, July 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Fleur de Lis Stage. Rivers Revue, led by Hardrick Rivers, is a four-piece band specializing in a variety of jazz, rhythm and blues, zydeco and folk music.

The highlight of the evening will be a fireworks show over Cane River Lake that will take place at approximately 9:30 p.m. The downtown bridge will also illuminate with patriotic lights and patriotic music will play for all in attendance. Concessions will also be sold that evening on the downtown riverbank.

Many retail shops and restaurants located within the National Historic Landmark District will also be open for business on July 4. Visitors can also take a horse and carriage tour of the downtown area and visit other local attractions including the Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site and the Natchitoches Alligator Park.

For more information about Celebration on the Cane, please call the Natchitoches Main Street at (866) 941-6246 or the Natchitoches Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 259-1714.

The Festival will feature more than 100 craftsmen from at least eight states. The Festival, sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches, will include many artists such as Rusty Patterson and Candice Alexander, who are returning to the Festival this year.

A new edition to the festival will be Copeland’s Ice Cream from Theodore, Alabama. Copeland’s Ice Cream was started in 2002 by Robert Copeland and his father who decided to market their famous homemade ice cream. The first year they attended six festivals and are now attending more than 20 in six states. The ice cream is powered by motors and a batch can be churned in 15 minutes. Serving a variety of flavors, Robert and his wife Renea are also known for their delicious floats. They may be reached at (251) 656-7700 or (251) 605-6114.

Returning to the festival this year will be painter Cory Carlson and his wife Laura who specializes in jewelry making. Cory’s paintings are well known for his use of color, light and the life like quality of his work and Laura’s jewelry pieces are handmade original designs. Cory will also be doing caricatures this year.
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 18 miles south of Natchitoches on Hwy. 119. For more information about the festival, contact Susan Davidson at (318) 379-0800.

For information about Natchitoches, accommodations, or more upcoming events, visit www.natchitoches.net or call 800-259-1714.

Guidelines for the grants are available by clicking the link below or by calling (318) 352-8072 or (800) 259-1714. Guidelines and applications are also available at the Information Center, located at 781 Front Street.

The Information Center is open Monday - Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at (318) 352-8072 or (800) 259-1714.

Advertising Grant Guidelines

Wheelwright Inn Bed and Breakfast
http://www.wheelwrightinn.com
Sunday thru Thursday only. Save 20%
Call for additional info 318-356-9175
Regular Rate: $235.00
Discount Rate: $188.00
Savings: 20%

Chez des Amis
http://www.chezdesamis.com
$10 per night off during January and February with mention of this promotion.
Two-night minimum February 12/13.

Samuel Guy House
http://www.samuelguyhouse.com
Sunday through Thursday $95 per night.
Feb only. Excludes 2/14/10.

Cane River Cottage
http://www.canerivercottage.com
20% discount every night through Feb. 28.

Jefferson Street Townhouse
http://www.jeffersontownhouse.com
Sunday – Thursday $99 Special
Weekends - $125

Creole Cottage on Cane River
Sunday – Thursday $99 Special
Weekends - $125

Andrew Morris House
http://www.andrewmorrishouse.com
Click here for their “Last Minute Specials” page.

Queen Anne B & B
http://www.queenannebandb.com
Sunday – Thursday $99 Special
Click here for their “Last Mintue Specials” page.

Judge Porter House
http://www.judgeporterhouse.com
Click here for their “Last Minute Specials” page.

Violet Hill B & B
http://www.violethillbandb.com
Click here for their “Last Minute Specials” page.

Starlight Plantation
www.starlightplantation.com
Sunday - Thursday 30% Discount
Friday - Saturday 20% Discount
Discount good for February only

Thorny Hill Cabin
www.natchitoches.net/thornyhill
Sunday - Thursday 30% Discount
Friday - Saturday 20% Discount
Discount good for February only

The announcement was made in New Orleans on Dec. 15 by the Office of Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu and Encore Louisiana as part of the results of the “Top 50 for 50+” program.

The Top 50 for 50+ program highlights Louisiana’s top attractions for residents and visitors 50 and above – as voted on by people 50 and above. Those sites identified through the program offer residents and visitors a guide to Louisiana’s most authentic experiences.

Votes were cast by people 50 and above who voted for their favorites in 10 categories. Based on the votes, Natchitoches sites were selected as favorites among five categories, which include:
• Best Neighborhood or Residential Development – Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District
• Best Place to Learn Something New – Northwestern State University Continuing Education
• Favorite Festivals – Natchitoches Christmas Festival/Festival of Lights
• Favorite Restaurants – Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant
• Top Destinations & Attractions – Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District

For more information about Encore Louisiana, please visit www.EncoreLouisiana.com. For more information about retirement opportunities in Natchitoches, please visit www.RetireNatchitoches.com.

Upcoming events include Holiday Tour of Homes, Christmas Downriver and live entertainment and fireworks every Saturday night in December and New Year’s Eve. Children will enjoy photos with Santa on the south end of the downtown riverbank from 6 - 8:30 nightly. History lovers will enjoy a trip to Rebel State Historic Site and Louisiana’s Country Music Museum in Marthaville, La. The entire park will be decorated with 40,000 colored lights with various displays around the park.

Visit www.christmasfestival.com or call (800) 259-1714 for more information on Christmas in Natchitoches.

In addition to activities downtown, the motorcyclists will leave Natchitoches, tour plantations and visit the Alligator Park.

Thunder on the River activities begin at noon Friday, Oct. 16. Admission is free, and there will be children’s activities as well as food and bike vendors.

“Sounds like it will be a great weekend for Natchitoches,” Courtney Hornsby, City of Natchitoches director of programming and promotions, said in an e-mail.

Ben May will perform at 3 p.m. Friday, followed by Subject to Change at 6 p.m. Calvin Pops Tucker will speak at 7 p.m.

Vendors will stay open until 10 p.m.

A fun run will kick off Saturday’s activities at 8:30 a.m. Entrance fee is $5 and proceeds benefit the Women’s Resource Center and D.O.V.E.S., Inc.

The bike show begins at 10 a.m. and will feature entertainment by Ben May.

The Billy Forest Quartet will perform at 11:30 a.m., followed by Relentless Band at 1 p.m., Royal Aires Gospel Group at 4 p.m., Christian Worship Center Band at 6 p.m., speaker Tim Brown at 7 p.m. and a fireworks show over Cane River Lake at 9 p.m.

Subject to Change will begin Sunday’s events at 10 a.m. and Dr. Tony Holder will speak at 11:30 a.m.

Front Street will be closed from Touline Street to Lafayette Street, excluding Church Street, for motorcycle parking only Saturday. Parking will be on the north side of the street with vendors on the south side.

Police Chief Mickey Dove said all of his employees, including off-duty officers, will return to work for the event. He will also utilize the reserve officer force with 10 actives and eight taking academy training.