The 52nd Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival was held over the weekend of Oct. 10-11 on the grounds of the historic plantation. The iconic local event is sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (APHN.)

Hundreds of visitors enjoyed 48 vendors sited throughout the grounds selling a wide variety of arts and crafts as well as food and drinks. The Calico Belles, a group of young ladies aged 13-18 gave tours of the various buildings on Melrose. The Calico Belles have been a community tradition for generations of young women in our parish. This year’s event featured talks by former FBI agent Randy Deaton, Jason Church and Meagan Lord on preservation and the Clementine Hunter art forgery case.

The Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival is one of the major fundraisers for the APHN. The proceeds are used for the maintenance, upkeep and associated expenses of the plantation grounds and buildings. The Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival is a beloved community tradition, one of the many events that make life in our community special.

If you would like to donate your time or resources to the APHN’s efforts in preserving our area’s history, please contact Dr. Vicki Parrish at 318-355-8317.

---