The Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission met Sept. 17. The commission reported a balance of $437,082.92 as of Aug. 31, with an August check register totaling $94,622.67.
The check register included a $75,000 check to the Cane River National Heritage Area. The money was received in error from the state and was intended for CRNHA for the Main Street Grant received through HDBA/Main Street.
Northwestern State University finished its 14-day count at 8,245 students, including its largest entering freshman class in three years with 1,120 students, a 6% increase from last year. Recruiting efforts for fall 2027 have already begun.
Upcoming NSU events include: Family Day and a football game Sept. 26, the Top of the Boot Festival Oct. 16-17, Homecoming Oct. 24, a volleyball home game Oct. 1 and NSide View Day Oct. 3. Modern in Motion with CAPA is scheduled for Sept. 22-26.
Christmas Season brochures were distributed, and fireworks will be held three times this year from both ends of the riverbank, during the Christmas Festival weekend and the following two weekends. Kim Mulkey will serve as Celebrity Captain of the 100th Christmas Festival. Approximately 40 previous Miss Merry Christmas winners will serve as grand marshals of the parade.
The upcoming Natchitoches Classic Car Show on Oct. 2-3 has approximately 300 cars registered.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau is promoting fall festivals and Christmas events, including the Oct. 9-11 Blush and Bashful weekend celebrating Dolly/Truvy. Events will include Dolly Bingo at the LASHOF, Dolly karaoke at Mama’s and a Big Hair Affair at Parkways Cinemas featuring Steel Magnolias. Rodney Harrington and his crew [Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs] will perform a sing-along before the film.
The Cane River National Heritage Area will host Mighty Machines Day at Parc Natchitoches on Nov. 14. The event will feature heavy machinery, big trucks, tractors, SWAT vehicles, ambulances and other equipment, along with STEM activities and SWAT obstacle courses. Admission will be $25 per car, with proceeds benefiting the Cane River Discovery Center.
The Natchitoches Historic Foundation’s Christmas Tour of Homes has already been selling online, with 1,060 tickets sold toward a goal of 1,200. New additions this year will include carolers and Santa during Friday night candlelight tours. The foundation will also offer a Steel Magnolias walking tour. A Rumba event will be held Oct. 8 on the riverbank and will include a Colombian band, Colombian food truck and adult beverages. The foundation is also working on a new website and has increased its social media activity.
Flyers have been distributed for the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches’ (APHN) 52nd Annual Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival, scheduled for Oct. 10-11 in partnership with the St. Augustine’s Creole Historic Festival.
Miss Merry Christmas will was held Sept. 19 at 5 p.m. at the Natchitoches Events Center. The Farmers Market will begin Oct. 10 for six weeks.
The Pumpkin Patch will open Sept. 26.