By Kevin Shannahan
The Natchitoches Christmas Festival is a beloved local tradition in our community that has achieved national, if not international, prominence over the years since the first festival in 1927. NSU’s Cammie G. Henry Archives has a Christmas Festival Collection with documents and artifacts concerning the festival from as far back as 1938. I have included some examples for this week’s “Pieces of Our History.”
The 1966 program had a “Miss Merry Christmas Through the Years” feature, starting with the first winner in 1956, Miss Judy Hubley, to the 1966 winner, Miss Marcie Fowler. There are maps of the parade routes from the 1950’s, governor Jimmie Davis leading the parade on his horse Sunshine in 1961, and much more.
Be sure to click on “Kevin’s Gallery” to see all the items in this week’s “Pieces of Our History.” You will be sure to recognize more than a few of the names!
