Festivals & Events

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This is an overview of events - check Calendar of This Month's Events for detailed dates and information

January

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February

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March

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April

April : Battle of Pleasant Hill
Reenactment of a Civil War rebel victory. Held each April in Pleasant Hill, La. Realistic reenactments of battles, field medical services and a wartime marriage ceremony are among events held. Has over 700 re-enactors and attracts between 5,000 and 10,000 visitors each year.

Easter Sunday: Hodges Gardens Easter Sunrise Service
Many, La This musical extravaganza features the Centenary College Choir and local church choirs under the direction of Dr. Will Andress. As dawn gradually approaches, the story describes Jesus in the gardens of Gethsemane, his betrayal, trial and crucifixion, ending with the joyous proclamation of the resurrection as the sun rises over the colorful springtime gardens. No admission fee.

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May

1st Weekend: Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb Pow Wow
Ebarb, La

1st Saturday in May: Mayfest & Western Day
Craft booths, food booths, live music, parade, rodeo, etc. Hemphill, TX

1st Saturday in May: Mayfest
Leesville, La   Located on historic Third Street; a variety of craft vendors, two stages for entertainment, food, annual Lions Club Pancake Breakfast and good family fun.

2nd Weekend in May: Zwolle Logger's Festival
Zwolle's Logger Festival is held the 2nd weekend of each May to pay tribute to all the logging and forestry families and industries in the town and parish.

May : Fisher Sawmill Days
Fisher, La   Village Square and park area: Miss Fisher Sawmill Days contest, antique cars, square dancing, children's races, steam engine on exhibit, plenty of food. Fisher Sawmill Days was first held in 1976, the bicentennial year. It is a homecoming to "old" Fisher folks, and an interest to people who have lived in sawmill towns. Seeing Fisher is a delight to those who appreciate a turn-of-the-century village. Fisher Sawmill Days hosts the World Championship Southern Pine Wood Derby Races. This growing event sparks the interest of both children and adults.

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June

2nd Weekend: Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival
(318) 357-0447 or (800) 259-1714. Near Natchitoches, La.   This annual event is held the second weekend of June on the grounds of the historic Melrose Plantation, a National Historic Landmark. The event features quality hand-crafted items, baskets, original works of art, pottery, crafts, jewelry, dolls, sculptures, toys and more. This event attracts 100 plus juried artists and craftsmen. Sponsored by Association for Preservation of Historic Natchitoches. Located 16 miles south of Natchitoches on Highway 119. Melrose is accessible from I-49 exit 127 from the north and exit 119 from the south. Melrose is open for tours from 12 noon to 4 P.M. daily. (318)379-0055

June : Many June Jubilee
Held each June in Many

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July

July: "42" & Bar-B-Q
Hemphill, TX  Cedar Tree '42' (dominoes) Tournament and Bar-B-Q Cook-Off , pet parade, craft booths, live music, food booths, horseshoes, etc., and lots of fun for everyone.

July 4th: Celebration on the Cane
(318) 352-6894 or (800) 259-1714 Celebration of the American day of Independence in downtown historic Natchitoches on the banks of the Cane River. Featuring all American cuisine, fireworks and entertainment.

July 4th: Hodges Gardens Independence Day Festival
Near Many, La.   Annual event held on July 4th with fireworks display, food, and arts and crafts booths, water ski show.

3rd Weekend: Natchitoches-Northwestern Folk Festival
(318) 357-4332 or (800) 259-1714 email: folklife@alpha.nsula.edu Annual festival was begun in 1979 and is held in the air-conditioned Prather Coliseum on the NSU campus. Over 60 master folk artists, exhibitors, craftsmen, and artists. Listen to the sounds of Cajun, Zydeco, country and folk musicians. Over 75 different Louisiana foods. Admission

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August

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September

Labor Day Weekend : Frontier Festival Days
Leesville, La. The West Louisiana Frontier Festival is put on by the Museum of West LA. It is an exciting three-day event which brings together a celebration of the old and new with crafts, music, entertainment and food as well as antique displays of every description. Activities begin with a parade through downtown Leesville. Antique cars, log trucks, antique machinery, marching bands, local dignitaries and decorated floats representing the early days proceed through the downtown area to kick off the big festival weekend. Southwest Louisiana's great cooks get the opportunity to show off their capabilities during the annual Chili Cook-Off. Last years winner was Skip Howell who walked away with a very nice barbecue grill as his prize. Various demonstrations held during the festival include a primitive form of basket weaving learned from Indians using pine straw, raffia, needles and a thimble. quilters, musicians and even a portable grist mill demonstrate the way things were done in days gone by. Look for these and many more interesting activities during your visit to The West LA Frontier Festival. It is a great opportunity to take an entertaining look at the rich heritage of Vernon Parish and gives everyone a chance to take part in preserving, as well as enjoying, its unique history. For more information on the upcoming festival contact the Museum of West LA at (318) 239-0927.

September : Good Ole Days Festival
Marthaville, La. (800) 259-1714 Daylong festival to celebrate the heritage of the Marthaville community, home of Rebel State Commemorative Area and the Louisiana Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. This annual event offers activities for the entire family with a parade, games, music, entertainment, arts & crafts and food. Located in Marthaville on LA Highway 1221.

September : Sabine Parish Fair
Many, La.  Sabine Parish Fairgrounds: Begun in 1910, this event has expanded yearly to include exhibits, entertainment, livestock, a rodeo and an extremely large midway filled with rides for the young and ld alike. Don't miss the Golden Girl contest for ladies 60 years of age and older.

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October

October: West Louisiana Forestry Festival Fair
  Leesville, La

October : Annual Leesville Lions Rodeo
Leesville, La.

1st Weekend: Robeline Heritage Festival
(800) 259-1714 or (318) 472-9914  Held annually in Robeline, La. the first weekend in October. It features fun for the entire family, including parades, wiener roasts, hayrides, music, street dances, crafts, food booths, exhibits, circus rides, Los Adaes SCA Park activities and the Caddo Adai Indian POW Wow nearby. Robeline is located 12 miles west of Natchitoches just off Highway 6.

October - 2nd Weekend: Zwolle Tamale Fiesta
Recalls the area's occupation by the Spanish Province of Texas. High School grounds, Zwolle, La. Fun-filled weekend of reliving the Spanish history of Texas with a plentiful supply of hot tamales, parades, concerts, crafts, dancing, and activities for the entire family.

2nd Weekend: Historical Pilgrimage of Homes
Natchitoches, La. (800) 259-1714 or (318) 357-0447 Step back in time during the Annual Natchitoches Pilgrimage of Historic Homes and Plantations. The Candlelight tour on Friday and Saturday night is unique. For tickets or information call or write P. O. Box 2248, Natchitoches, LA 71457

2nd Weekend: St. Augustine Church Fair
Melrose, La. (318) 379-2757 email:colsonj@cp-tel.net Family fun and great Creole cooking featuring our famous St. Augustine meat pies, hot tamales, Creole gumbo, and roast turkey dinners. Also, a 5K and a 1 mile Fun Run and Walk along the scenic Cane River Lake. Bingo, cake walk, Country Store entertainment, art and more! Coincides with the annual Natchitoches Pilgrimage across the river from the historic Melrose Plantation. www.alexdiocese.org/staugustine

October : Sabine County Fair
Hemphill, TX  at the County Fair Grounds & Youth Arena. Carnival, livestock, canning, exhibits, etc...

October 31st: All Saints Eve Candlelight Procession
St. Augustine Catholic Church, Melrose, LA (318) 352-8062 e-mail:colsonj@cp-tel.net Join the Creole community for this special event on All Saints Eve as they file through the St. Augustine Church Cemetery, circa 1803. The cemetery features the graves of Augustine Metoyer and Clementine Hunter along with many wrought iron crosses and French inscriptions on the gravestones.

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November

3rd Saturday: Provencial "Fall Festival"
(800) 259-1714 The Festival begins at 10 A.M., parade at 2 P.M. This festival is held annually to support various projects in the Provencial Community. This one-day event features local entertainment, food booths and other items of interest

November : Milam Settler's Day
8:00 am - 6:00 PM Milam, TX. Always the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Historic celebration of the early settlers to the area. Craft booths, food, entertainment, etc.

November : Florien Free State Festival
This festival commemorates the time when the area was a Free State (1806-1822), located between Spanish land and the United States. This festival has a comedy of shoot-out skits (Free State Gang vs. The Law), trail rides, street dances, lots of food and authentic syrup making, lye soap making, and an operational grist mill. Held each November in Florien, La.

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December

1st Saturday: Natchitoches Christmas Festival
(800) 259-1714 or www.christmasfestival.com
Since its beginnings in 1927, the Festival of Lights has grown into Louisiana's premier community based Christmas Celebration. A family celebration, the festival is held annually on the first Saturday in December. Over 150,000 visitors flock this historic town and are treated to a gigantic parade, star studded live entertainment throughout the day, dozens of food vendors, carnival rides, river cruises, carriage and trolley tours, and a spectacular fireworks show. After which, over 300,000 brightly colored Christmas lights and 77 huge set pieces light the city along the scenic Cane River Lake. The Christmas Festival of Lights has been listed as a "Top 100 Events in North America" by the American Bus Association for numerous years and has also been honored as one of the "Top 20 Events" for December on six occasions by the Southeast Tourism Society. The Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights is a partner with the Holiday Trail of Lights. Also, see History of the Christmas Festival

All Month: City Of Lights
Natchitoches, La. (800) 259-1714 www.christmasfestival.com A fairyland of multicolored lights, created by over 300,000 Christmas bulbs strung along city streets and on 78 unique set pieces along Cane River Lake. The lights reflect in the waters below and stretch along the historic downtown area. Fireworks and entertainment every Saturday in December. Shopping, tours of historic homes, boat, carriage and trolley rides are available throughout the holiday season in the City of Lights. Lights remain on through the first weekend after New Year's.

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History of the Christmas Festival One Man's Dream...Becomes A Tradition
The late Max Burgdorf, serving as superintendent of utilities, first gave thought to a street and river lighting program as a means of expressing the holiday feeling. Mr. Burgdorf heard of a small 10 watt Christmas street bulb that had just been placed on the market and obtained enough to get his lighting program underway. The small bulbs are still used in preference to the glaring ones used in most cities. The first set piece built by Burgdorf was the Star of the East, measuring eight feet across. The star remained a fixture in the lighting program, but has since been replaced by one measuring 21 feet.
Since 1927, lights and set pieces have been added. Throughout the month of December, over 170,000 tiny bulbs shine softly over the downtown Historic Landmark District.
Charles Solomon, who served as chief electrician for the city, built the original set pieces that stand on the east bank of Cane River-Lake. Later, chief electrician, Winfred Lonadier, added more sets, making a total of 72.

The lighting program covers many blocks, plus riverbank and bridges across Cane River-Lake and reflect into the waters below. Over 28 miles of wiring have gone into project, which would now cost over $170,000 to replace. In early September, city utility crews begin the arduous task of stringing thousands of lights along the river banks and city streets. The project requires at least six weeks.

In 1936, Allan Cox and Sam West conceived the idea of adding fireworks, at a cost of $300. Today fireworks are valued at $20,000 and handled by professionals.
In 1982, city crews added lights to the newly-constructed retaining wall on the east bank of Cane River-Lake. These lights provide a picture frame effect for the set pieces. Blue Fleur de Lis now encase street lights on the bridges. The Christmas Festival, a committee of the Chamber of Commerce, grew to a 12 month project. Hundreds of volunteers give generously of time, effort and financial assistance, making each Festival a lasting memory. In 1993, a full-time Coordinator of Festivals and Special Services was hired. The Festival is still blessed with much-needed volunteers and remains under supervision of the Chamber of Commerce.

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