HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES APRIL 2016 Welcome to INSIDE NATCHITOCHES Natchitoches Dragon Boat Races Enjoy Your Stay in Our Historic Town
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April 2016 300 years of flags that have ® flown over Natchitoches. HHiissttoorriicc NNaattcchhiittoocchheess A Free Guide to Leisure and Attractions in Natchitoches, Louisiana LLoouuiissiiaannaa Courtesy of The Natchitoches Times FRANCE 1714-1763 SPAIN 1763-1801 FRANCE 1801-1803 JAZZ / R&B UNITED STATES 1803-61 FESTIVAL CONFEDERATE STATES 1861-65 2016 UNITED STATES 1960-PRESENT WHATS INSIDE: STATE FLAG OF LOUISIANA JAZZ/R&B FESTIVAL FEATURE ENTERTAINMENT WALKING TOURS LOCAL RESTAURANTS CITY OF NATCHITOCHES Page 2 HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES APRIL 2016 Welcome to INSIDE NATCHITOCHES Natchitoches Dragon Boat Races Enjoy your stay in our historic town .................................................Page 3 2016 JAZZ/R&B Festival ..................................................Page 4 Civil Rights Pioneers ..................................................Page 6 Maps: Walking Tour, Cane River Tour, Steel Magnolia Tour and NSU Tour .......................................Pages 7-10 Area Bed & Breakfasts ..............................................Page 11 Entering downtown his- wave. Welcome to of the Red River near a vil- toric Natchitoches, visitors Natchitoches. lage of Natchitoches feel transported to another Founded in 1714 by Louis Indians, a Native American Local Restaurants era. Juchereau de St. Denis, the group whose tribal name Traveling along bumpy city of Natchitoches was means “Chinquapin- ..............................................Page brick roads reminiscent of originally established as a eaters.” 12 pre-asphalt travel, you French outpost on the Red At the time of the estab- notice ornate ironwork on River to facilitate trade lishment of St. Denis’ fort, the bridges and shops, with the Spanish in navigation of the Red River was prohibited by a massive Area Outdoor attractions & Parks horse-drawn carriages Mexico. log jam that was broken up around the historic district The fort, which was to be ..............................................Page 15 during a flood in the 1830s. and locals who smile and discovered, was built some- Thus, the Red River greet you with a friendly where along the west bank changed its course, leaving a 36-mile-long oxbow lake Upcoming Events................Page 16 called Cane River that runs through the downtown National Landmark District. Once a bustling riverport and crossroads, Natchitoches gave rise to vast cotton kingdoms along ‘Historic Natchitoches’ is a monthly the river. Affluent planters publication of The Natchitoches Times not only owned charming country plantations, but To advertise in this publication kept elegant houses in town. contact The Natchitoches Times The Red River’s abandon- P.O. Box 448 ment of Natchitoches isolat- Natchitoches, LA 71458 ed the community, preserv- ing its historic buildings and the deeply-ingrained On the Cover Featur e: traditions of its residents Annual Natchitoches J azz/R& B Festival along the Cane River. w ill be held in Dow ntow n Natchitoches With its French, Spanish, Apr il 15- 16, 2016 Native American, African and Anglo-Saxon influ- ences, Natchitoches main- tains a colorful palette of For more information on local history and events contact: ethnic tradition, hospitality Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission and pride in the past that 780 Front Street Suite 100 ; Natchitoches, LA 71457 5362 University Parkway (318) 352-8072 or 1-800-259-1714 residents share with visi- Web site: www.natchitoches.net Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457 tors. PHONE 318.352.7500 Photo Credit: Mark Bills FAX 318.352.7500 Photography APRIL 2016 HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES Page 3 NATCHITOCHES SUMMONS 22 DRAGONS events have drawn over tournaments, galas and 5K 10,000 people to the banks of runs, but the Louisiana the Red River. Their last Dragon Boat Races provide race featured 40 teams. The something different. races continue to be the “The number of out-of- largest single funding town visitors are starting to stream for AMoA opera- grow. In the past few years tions, according to AMoA there have definitely been board member Dustin ‘heads in beds’ and some Matthews. “There have been new people in restaurants, as many as 1,000 partici- shops and gas stations as a pants and the number of result of the event. We have spectators grow every year,” heard from the artists and food vendors that they were he said. “The first year we successful. The number of estimated around 5,000 attendees continues to grow attendees and last year it and we know we have some was over 10,000 people.” visitors from out of town, Matthews feels the success but as the festival grows it of the event is due to its will attract more visitors uniqueness. There are mul- The NSU Foundation and Dragon boat racing is portation. Its staff are and continue to grow the tiple fundraisers through- the Natchitoches Regional easy to learn, safe and a experts in dealing with economic impact of the out the year such as golf Medical Center Foundation sport where men and novices who have never event,” said Matthews. will join the tradition of the women can practice and stepped in a boat. Louisiana Dragon Boat race together. Teams consist Working with over 40 Races with a race event set of 25 members, with four communities, charities and for Memorial Day, May 28. alternates and a drummer. companies through Eastern A press conference will Each team is guaranteed to North America, the festivals be held soon to cover the race three times, including range in size from 10 crews details of the event. practice. There will be sub- to over 100. These events are Registration will begin races throughout the day perfect for helping people to Monday, Feb. 22 online at and a “best dressed drum- discover communities’ Northwesternalumni.com/ mer” contest. First place waterfronts in a healthy and dragonboats. winner gets a trophy and a active way, creating a day of Representatives from the year’s worth of bragging fitness and fun for employ- City, the Chamber of rights. ees, or raising money for a Commerce, the Twenty-two Dragons is a charity. 22Dragons largest Natchitoches Historic Canadian company that charity event raises over District Development helps organizations develop $500,000 annually for cancer Commission (NHDDC), the boat races. A turn-key oper- support. NSU Foundation and the ation, the company owns a Participants in the racing Natchitoches Regional fleet of 18 dragon boats and tradition, the Alexandria Medical Center Foundation the equipment for trans- Museum of Art’s past met with Matt Roberts of 22 Dragons to discuss the logis- tics of a racing event on LITTLE EVA Cane River. Inspecting the PECAN COMPANY riverbank, Roberts said of all the spots in the state to NATCHITOCHES PECANS • Recognized in 2007 as a Preserve America Presidential hold this event, Cane River Award Winner is the best. “You want really WWW.NATCHITOCHESPECANS.COM • Listed as one of the Ten Bargain Retirement Spots by still water and here we have U S News & World Report it,” he said. • Named as a 2006 Great American Main Street Award Race practice will take Winner by the National Trust for Historic Preservation place starting Tuesday, May • N amed as one of the 2005 Dozen Distinctive Destination 24, creating a buzz in the in the United States by the National Trust for community. NRMC Historic Preservation Foundation Director Constance Anderson, who recently moved to Natchitoches, said, “Ya’ll Farm Fresh Pecans • Pecan Candies are a happening place. I have friends from Baton Gift Tins • Unique Gifts Rouge that are ready to move here.” STORE HOURS: Other cities that hold the Jan. 2-Oct. 14 Thur-Sat 9am-5pm races include Alexandria, Lake Charles, Monroe and Oct. 15-Dec. 23 Shreveport. Businesses or Mon-Sat - 9am-5pm individuals can sponsor a team for $2,100 ($100 per- Physcial : 16508 Hwy 1 head). The races are open to Mailing: 439 Little Eva Road LIKE US ON all ages and athletic abili- Cloutierville, LA 71416 FACEBOOK FOR ties. 318.379.0272 “NUTHOUSE NEWS” www.natchitochesla.gov Page 4 HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES APRIL 2016 GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, MIDNIGHT STAR TO PLAY ANNUAL JAZZ/R&B FEST Midnight Star and Grand Funk Dance Floor” which featured the Railroad will close out the two-day highly charting single title track as Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival well as “Freak-AZoid,” “Wet My that will feature more than 30 bands Whistle” and “Slow Jam.” and four stages along the banks of Their next album, “Planetary the Cane River. Invasion” was almost as big, selling The festival, in its 21st year, will platinum again and making the Pop be April 15-16 in historic downtown Top 20 and No. 1 spot on the R&B Natchitoches. chart with its first single Tickets went on sale in March and “Operator.” The group has contin- will be $25 for a weekend pass or $10 ued to tour and record throughout for Friday at the gate and $15 for the years and is considered to be a Saturday at the gate. Discounted legendary funk/R&B group. prices available for students and Earlier in the day on the main children under 12 are free. stage Seven Bridges will pay tribute Organizers are offering a diverse to Eagles. The Nashville band is lineup that should appeal to almost widely known for its faithful repli- any musical taste and will feature a cation of the Eagles music and har- “Saturday Night of Funk,” head- monies. lined by 70s classic rock hitmakers, Also appearing will be a red-hot Grand Funk Railroad, who will take New Orleans group, The New Breed the stage at approximately 9:30 p.m., Brass Band. Fresh off of their tour just after the legendary funk/R&B with Trombone Shorty, they’ll bring band Midnight Star completes their high-energy New Orleans tradition- set. al brass music with a modern flair. The music begins Friday at 5 p.m., A highlight of last year’s festival ending with Grammywinning zyde- was Johnny Earthquake & The co legend Wayne Toups and Moondogs’ tribute to Elvis Presley, Zydecajun.