The Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) announced Dec. 3 that New Orleans Magazine’s January 2018 Mardi Gras Edition has named the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, “Top State Festival”.

Each year New Orleans Magazine conducts a reader poll for the “Tops of the Town” and Natchitoches won the “Top State Festival.”

“This is quite an honor,” said Christmas Festival Director Lee Waskom. “I’m delighted, but I have to give credit to the crew of volunteers that help put this festival together. It’s a real community effort. It means a lot that the little town of Natchitoches puts together a festival that ranks so high across the state and even at a national level. It’s really cool.”

Waskom said it’s wonderful to get this kind of recognition, particularly because the festival had such a good turn out for 2017. He attributes this to the improvements to the Kids Fest area, the Festival Committee reinvesting money into the festival for the next year, and the riverbank renovation.

Having an updated stage area and seating with the new amphitheater caused people to hang out for longer periods of time, which Waskom said is a new phenomenon. Allowing kids 11 and under to get in free this year made a big difference and bringing in new set pieces, like the LED “dancing” Christmas tree, help add to the overall experience.

This is a great achievement to add to the many accolades that Natchitoches has received over the years. Being named as the “Top State Festival” is great news and a great way to start off the new year says Arlene Gould, Executive Director for the Natchitoches CVB.

“The Natchitoches Christmas Festival committee and volunteers work hard not just during the 6 week festival but throughout the year planning and preparing to host what we have known for 91 years as a great holiday event,” said Gould.

New Orleans Magazine is published by Renaissance Publishing.