An area news station visited Natchitoches Nov. 17 to compile a segment on the City of Lights and what its Christmas Festival season offers visitors. Filming multiple segments throughout the day, the news team was delighted to find Santa paddlin’ on Cane River. He and some of his Christmas helpers took to the water on stand up paddleboards from a new business in town, Cane River Paddle and Pedal.

The evening was capped off with a live broadcast from the riverbank stage previewing some of the Christmas Festival’s features. Theater students from Northwestern State University’s Christmas Gala performance sang song excerpts for the camera crew. Miss Merry Christmas and the Belles sang their Christmas jingle. Mayor Lee Posey, Main Street Director Samantha Bonnette and other City officials talked about the events and festive atmosphere that make Natchitoches famous.