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Traditions, Events & Entertainment THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE 95TH ANNUAL NATCHITOCHES CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

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Natchitoches Christmas The official Guide to the City of Lights 2021 is a publication of the Natchitoches Times Publisher: Lovan Thomas Advertising Sales: Taryn Miles Creative Production: James McAlpin

This magazine is published annually to promote the Natchitoches Christmas Festival as well as the City of Natchitoches and Natchitoches Parish in an informative and positive manner. Natchitoches Christmas 2021 is a copyrighted publication of The Natchitoches Times.

95th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival

No portions of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of The Natchitoches Times: P.O. Box 448 Questions about content or to advertise may be addressed to ads@natchitochestimes.com Cover photo by: Doris Whatley

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WELCOME TO THE 95TH FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Holidays throughout the year are special. Family, friends, food and revelry build lasting memories. Unfortunately, those times are brief, lasting only a day or two. Not soooooo…with the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. The city and her residents throw out the welcome mat for seven weeks; opening their doors, homes and favorite places to a degree that sets the bar for southern hospitality. You just can’t beat a Christmas Season spent in Natchitoches, Louisiana. It’s so special, the spirit and excitement of Christmas lands in our soul and has even been known to pierce the hardest heart of a “scrooge”. What makes the Natchitoches Christmas Festival so distinct is that it’s everywhere in our little hamlet town. There’s something for the entire family, the young and the young at heart. It’s brightly colored light bulbs, holiday music piped into the downtown area, ornate and animated lighted displays along the riverbank, fireworks, live music, a parade, special programs and events and lasting memories. We’ve been doing this for 95 consecutive years. So we’ve gotten pretty good at

throwing a party. Our festival is one of the biggest and best in the country, and that’s not just us bragging, that’s according to regional and national publications. Then you add the lure of being hosted by one of the South’s most historic cities, the oldest city in Louisiana and the oldest continuous settlement in the Louisiana Purchase and you’ve got an educational, family, fun adventure. This publication is the official program for the 95th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival. The Festival schedule and attractions for this year, as well as infor-

mation about the festival’s entertainment headliners, festival history, unique people and events that make our community special are included within these pages. The Festival is a year round project organized by the Natchitoches Historic District Business Association, encompassing hundreds of volunteers and an excessive cooperation with the City of Natchitoches and Northwestern State University. We hope you enjoy your time in Natchitoches and please come back!

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VOICE OF SCOOBY-DOO TO SERVE AS GRAND MARSHAL By Hannah Richardson

This year, Natchitoches will celebrate the 95th Christmas Festival season with one of America’s most beloved cartoon characters- Scooby-Doo! The voice behind the canine sleuth, Scott Innes, will serve as this year’s Grand Marshal for the Natchitoches Christmas Parade Saturday, Dec. 4, which begins at 1 p.m. This year’s Christmas season in Natchitoches will be especially magical with the iconic Scooby-Doo character. “I’ve been fortunate to be Grand Marshal for several parades over the years. I love to wave and be a part of it, while talking to people one-on-one while doing the voice,” said Innes. “What’s exciting to me is that I’ve never seen the Christmas lights. I’m looking forward to seeing them.” The voice actor crafted an imaginative world for himself beginning at a young age. “I was a cartoon fanatic,” said Innes. “I grew up watching a black and white television and Scooby-Doo was always my favorite cartoon. I would go to bed recreating scenes from the day’s shows and I would talk to myself in the character’s voices. That’s really where I started to do character impressions. I had no idea that one day I would step into the paws of Don Messick (the original voice actor for the character) to bring Scooby-Doo to life.” Innes’ fate of becoming Scooby-Doo even seemed to be hinted at during his childhood. When he recently began looking through photos from his childhood, he was amazed at how many times a Scooby-Doo reference, such as a stuffed animal or a game, would appear in the photos. “I just thought it was weird, that

even then my course was being written and I didn’t even know it.” Innes actually got his start in the radio world, at the striking young age of 12, in his hometown at the station KLID-AM 1340. After getting married and raising children, his radio career took him all over the place- to Iowa, Montana, Tennessee and Baton Rouge. His catchphrase, “Hug them babies when you get home,” has become well-known on the airways in Baton Rouge. Funny enough, Innes became acquainted with Messick in his profession as a radio personality. “It was in Baton Rouge in 1996 where I did an afternoon show,” he said. “There was a song by the band Alabama, ‘Dancin’, Shaggin’, on the Boulevard,’ and I did a parody called ‘Shaggy on the Boulevard.’ I had someone keep calling and saying I should call Hanna-Barbera but the last thing I wanted was a Cease and Desist!” Innes eventually decided to call Hanna-Barbera, the production company that created cartoons such as Scooby-Doo. He was informed that Messick had recently retired as Scooby-Doo’s voice and they were actually casting for a new actor to take over. Innes was up against many other talented voice actors for the role, including Dave Coulier who played Joey Gladstone in the sitcom, Full House. Innes said while they were deciding on who would become the new Scooby-Doo, co-founder Joe Barbera was asked to listen to two recordings- Innes’ and Coulier’s. While not having a clue which one belonged to the actors, Barbera chose Innes, saying he was identical to Messick’s voice. Continued on next page.

“SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU!” AT THE NATCHITOCHES CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL PARADE, OF COURSE! Continued from previous page

Innes became the official voice of Hanna-Barbera’s Scooby-Doo in 1997. A native of Poplar Bluff, Mo., he traveled to Los Angeles to join the cast for a new movie, “Scooby Doo on Zombie Island” which was released in 1998. Innes also voiced Scooby-Doo in “Scooby-Doo and the Witch’s Ghost” in 1999, “Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders” in 2000, “Scooby Doo and the Cyberchase” in 2001, in which he also served as the voice of Shaggy. He also provided the voice for Scooby-Doo for the first live-action movie in 2002. In 2001, the voice actor brought Scooby-Doo’s lifetime companion, Shaggy, and his nephew, Scrappy-Doo, to life as well! Innes has also professionally voiced other cartoon characters including Popeye, Snagglepuss, Professor Pat Pending from the Wacky Racers, Shag-A-Long from The Hillbilly Bears and the world-famous stone-age characters Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble. Innes has also made an appearance on several television shows, including the Cajun Pawn Shop, filmed in Alexandria, on the History Channel, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Fox and Friends and TV Land’s 100 Greatest Quotes and Catchphrases of all time. He was also in a 2019 Superbowl Commercial, where the Mystery Machine, alongside other vehicles from popular media, were featured for a Walmart grocery pick-up spotlight. Innes has done thousands of media works in his role for Scooby-Doo, from the shows and movies, to video games and commercials. Innes is the only person to have won three Golden Mike Awards from the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters. In

1998 and 1999, he was voted as Baton Rouge Parents Magazine’s Favorite Family DJ. In 1997, Innes was honored as the County Music Association’s Air Personality of the Year and in 1999 was named the National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi Air Personality of the Year. In 2006, Innes was voted as the Air Personality of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. Natchitoches is also hosting a coloring contest for children to win a chance to ride with Innes during the parade- a once in a lifetime opportunity! Parents can download the sheet at https://www.natchitocheschristmas.com/general-8, have your child color the page and return it to the Natchitoches Main Street Office at 781 Front St., Natchitoches, LA 71457, by Friday, Oct. 1. After the parade, Innes will be inside the festival gated area providing autographs for photos and T-shirts for the general public. He also mentioned that Scooby merchandise might not be the easiest to find, so he and the team will bring a Scooby Store, which will house several fun and rare Scooby-related items. “We want to encourage everyone to come out and just have a good time! The world right now needs laughter with the pandemic going on and we just try to navigate it,” he said. Innes said he is more than ready to welcome the Christmas season and that the season just makes people feel good. “The world needs a little healing power and what better way than to be rockin’ around the Christmas tree with some Scooby snacks?” Innes said making children smile while playing these characters has made it all worth it. “You can’t put a price tag on that. It really brings it all together.”

95th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival

NSU CHRISTMAS GALA

The Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University will present the 33rd annual Christmas Gala Dec. 1-3 in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Performance times are 7 p.m. each evening with a 9 p.m. performance on Dec. 3. The schedule is subject to change. Organizers hope to be able to present a live show in the

renovated A.A. Fredericks Auditorium for the first time in three years. The 2019 Gala was moved off campus due to construction in the auditorium. Last year’s performance was virtual due to the pandemic. Tickets are $15. NSU, BPCC@ NSU and Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts students are admitted free with a current student I.D. “The Christmas Gala is eagerly anticipated by both local audiences and our students who perform and work behind the scenes,” said Gala Director Brett Alan Garfinkel. “The School of Creative and Performing Arts works on the Gala yearround to be sure we provide a memorable event for the community.” More than 300 Northwestern State students, faculty and staff in the School of Creative and Performing Arts combine their talents to present the Gala as

a kickoff to the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. Large crowds attend the Gala each year which is based on the long-running Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. Garfinkel said the Gala will combine popular parts from past shows along with new elements that are added this year. He said this year’s Christmas Gala will be a version of a Louisiana Nutcracker. “A crawfish boil will take the place of the traditional Christ-

mas Party,” said Garfinkel. “Instead of the Land of the Sweets in Act II the show will take a journey through the Land of Spices. The music and performance acts will have a Louisiana flare.” Participating ensembles will include the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, the NSU Choirs, students from the Department of Theatre and Dance and more. Information on the Gala will be available at capa.nsula.edu.

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CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL POSTER: THE CHRISTMAS PARADE THROUGH THE EYES OF AN ARTIST

By Hannah Richardson

Every Christmas season, talented artists are invited to submit their works for the Christmas Festival Poster Contest. We get to see a fresh perspective of the festival from the eyes of the selected artist when the season arrives. For this year’s Christmas Festival, we are getting a fresh, new take on the iconic Christmas parade from the perspective of artist Trevor Lucas. Lucas, a native of New Iberia, actually grew up in Natchitoches for the majority of his childhood. “We moved a few places in between like Lafayette, Alexandria, Pineville and Bossier City. We left but never stayed planted in those cities without coming back home,” said Lucas. “I always tell people when they ask where I’m from that I’m from all over Louisiana but a place called Natchitoches is my hometown.” Lucas comes from a God-fearing Christian family of gospel singers, preachers and hard-working country folk. During his time in Natchitoches, he attended East Natchitoches Elementary School and graduated from Natchitoches Central High School. (Fun Fact: He served as the school’s mascot in 1995-96!) After graduating high school, he joined the United States Navy, which brought him to station in Norfolk, Va. He moved to Virginia Beach, Va., after sailing around the world for three years and his honorable discharge. Lucas then attended two years of college at Virginia Beach’s Tidewater Community College studying business marketing and graphic arts. “Art has been my getaway and emotional release since I was 12. Now that I think of it, I started drawing after my mother passed,” said Lucas. “It took me away from life as I saw it to whatever scene I would create for myself on paper. Art was even part of my rebellious stage after as I began doing graffiti in Lafayette. It was also a way for a

Lucas has roots in Natchitoches, pictured here serving as the NCHS mascot.

boy who didn’t feel noticed to be seen through placing his art and his name on walls around the city. It gave me an identity and a purpose. Or at least it felt that way.” Lucas said he specializes in all types of art. “If I can make a mark with it I can create art with it. I come from a place where you made the most of the bare minimums and I brought that mindset with me into my art career.” His Christmas Festival poster was created on a Huion digital tablet. Lucas looks back on his time in Natchitoches fondly, especially during the magical Christmas season. His favorite Christmas in Natchitoches 2021 by Trevor Lucas memories include spending time with family, seeing the lights along the Cane River and most of all, the Christmas Festival parade. “Natchitoches may be the reason I love Christmastime so much. It’s a reminder of home,” he said. Lucas said his poster, titled “Christmas in Natchitoches 2021,” was inspired by his love of the parade. “For me, a Christmas in Natchitoches isn’t a Christmas in Natchitoches without the Christmas parade. So that’s what I drew.” The artist said he hopes viewers will be reminded of the love, diversity and unity of the Natchitoches community as they see this poster. “It’s a moment in time where we set all differences aside and come together for the common feelings of joy, family, and most of all the actual reason for the season, the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t be alive without Him and his guidance and covering through life and in my belief no one else would either. Poster artist Trevor Lucas That’s worth celebrating.”

95th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival

Forty-Second Annual Limited Edition Christmas Festival Print

Natchitoches Arts Council ©

CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES

Experience the charm of historic Natchitoches during this annual holiday event, the Christmas Tour of Homes. The Christmas Tour of Homes is a holiday tour of uniquely decorated homes in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The event will feature docent-led commentaries on the history of each property as well as the unique holiday decorations. The Christmas Tour of Homes is a self-guided walking tour. There will be docents to guide you through the interior of each venue. Tickets will be available at houses on tour each day of the tour. Advance tickets are only available online. Tickets are

$25/person. Children 12 and under are free. Proceeds from the Tour beneﬁt restoration of properties in the Natchitoches Parish area. The dates for the tour of homes are: Thurs., Dec. 9 from 5-8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 10 from 5-8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 11 from 1-4 p.m. Thur., Dec. 16 from 5-8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 17 from 5-8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 18 from 1-4 p.m. Please check back closer to the tour date for more information about which homes will be featured on the 2021 tour at natchitocheshf.com.

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LIGHTED BOAT PARADE In 2019, the Festival Committee partnered with the Natchitoches Rotary Club to bring back the Boat Parade. After rave reviews, the tradition will continue this year Saturday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. Boats will begin at the Washington Street boat launch and travel South on Cane River making several passes for onlookers downtown. A $10 en-

try fee is required for all boats entering the parade. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top entries. Boats must be lit and decorated in a Christmas theme. Boats may register at www. NatchitochesChristmas.com. For more information, contact the Natchitoches Main Street Office at 318-357-3822.

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NATCHITOCHES CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS TURN ON THE HOLIDAYS! SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20

95TH CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4

4:30pm-9:30pm - “Turn on the Holidays!” 7am - 7pm - Mistletoe Market (City – Join us for the official start to the Natchitoches Christmas season. This event feaBank parking lots on Second Street) tures musical entertainment and fireworks! 1:00pm - Festival of Lights Parade 4:00pm-7:00pm - Holiday Open House – 6:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Historic District Business Association MUSIC ON THE RIVERBANK STAGE Shops Open Late 3:00pm- Geno Delafose 7:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake MUSIC ON THE RIVERBANK STAGE 3:00pm - Paul & Pete Band TUESDAY DECEMBER 7 6:00pm - Amanda Shaw 7:30pm -Lessons & Carols: NSU Chamber Choir at the Basilica of the Immaculate FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26 Conception Church Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank THURSDAY DECEMBER 9 3:00pm-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on 6:00pm -Lessons & Carols: Trinity Episcothe Downtown Riverbank pal Church 5:30pm-8:30pm - DJ Wrinkle Free Entertainment FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10 Free Admission to Front Street and DownSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27 town Riverbank 9:00am-4:30pm - Fleur de Lis Christmas 3:00pm-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Craft Mall Downtown Riverbank Natchitoches Events Center | FREE 5:00pm-8:00pm - Christmas Tour of 10:00am-4:00pm - Cookies with Santa $ Homes (www.natchitocheshf.com) 10:00am-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on 6:00pm Gospel Night on the Riverbank the Downtown Riverbank Stage 7:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake MUSIC ON THE RIVERBANK STAGE SATURDAY DECEMBER 11 3:00pm - LaCour Trio 10:00am-4:00pm - Cookies with Santa $ 6:00pm – 92-Twenty 10:00am-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank DECEMBER 1–3 1:00pm-4:00pm - Christmas Tour of NSU Gala - See page 6 for full details. Homes (www.natchitocheshf.com) 5:00pm - Lighted Boat Parade FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 7:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake Free Admission to Front Street and Down- MUSIC ON THE RIVERBANK STAGE town Riverbank 3:00pm - Kelli Roberts Band 3:00pm-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on 6:00pm – Manhattan the Downtown Riverbank 5:30pm-8:30pm - DJ Wrinkle Free EnterSUNDAY, DECEMBER 12 tainment 4:00pm-8:30pm - Light the Way 5K

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16

1:00pm - 4:00pm - Christmas Tour of Homes (www.natchitocheshf.com)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17

Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank 5:30-8:30pm- DJ Wrinkle Free Entertainment 5:00pm-8:00pm - Christmas Tour of Homes (www.natchitocheshf.com)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18

10:00am-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank 1:00pm-4:00pm - Christmas Tour of Homes (www.natchitocheshf.com) 7:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake MUSIC ON THE RIVERBANK STAGE 3:00pm - TBA 6:00pm – Chase Tyler Band

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24

Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank 10:00am-6:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank 6:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake MUSIC ON THE RIVERBANK STAGE 3:00pm- Chubby Carrier

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25

Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31

Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank 8:00pm | Fireworks over Cane River Lake SANTA CLAUS HOUSE, DECEMBER 5-23 Santa Claus House, December 5th - 23rd 6:00pm - 8:30pm | FREE (Saturday visits will require an armband for Riverbank access) Visit with Santa in his house on the South end of the Downtown Riverbank

FOOD VENDORS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE RIVERBANK 7 DAYS A WEEK. There is no admission to enter the Riverbank area Sunday through Friday. Vehicular traffic will be permitted on the Riverbank Sunday through Thursday only. 12

95th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival

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It’s only fitting that one of oldest and most prestigious arts and crafts shows during the holiday season happens in Natchitoches. Mark your calendars for Saturday, Nov. 27 for the 17th annual Fleur de Lis Arts and Crafts Mall. The Fleur de Lis Arts and Crafts Christmas Mall has been a staple of the holiday since 2005. This event is unique in that only artist-generated items will be available. No imports, resale, or commercial items are allowed. There will be vendors from a four-state area offering a wide variety of handcrafted items including jewelry, home decor, artwork, bath and body products, toys, clothing, rosaries, candles and more. The Fleur de Lis Arts and Crafts Mall, specializing in individualized pieces, will be Saturday, Nov. 28 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The event, in the indoor comfort of air-conditioning and restrooms, is free to the public and free parking is available. The Natchitoches Events Center has been home to the Fleur de Lis show all but one year. The first Fleur de Lis Arts and Crafts Show was in the Arts Center because the Events Center was under construction. The 2021 Fleur de Lis Arts and Crafts show has been a sell out for vendors with approximately 90 planning to participate. Cheryl Gianforte, a former art teacher at Natchitoches Central High School, has spearheaded the event from conception to reality. She said this year one of the artists is from the Carolinas, but is originally from Natchi-

toches. So that artist will be showcasing her items while enjoying a return home visit family and friends this holiday season. The Events Center has a 15,000 square foot exhibit hall and three 1,200 square foot meeting areas. The crafts show will include knitted and embroidered items, soaps and body lotions and some of the works of the South’s most prominent painters and photographers. There will also be a wide variety of birdhouses, quilts, jellies, cork décor and a variety of religious items. Shoppers will check some people off their Christmas list with their purchases, but many will leave with gifts for themselves. Regulations regarding masks and physical distancing will be followed and hand sanitizing stations will be available. For more information, contact Cheryl Gianforte at 318-3526068.

(left to right): Amelia Broadway, Anna Catherine Coleman, Natalie Spillman, Julia Ferrell, Tinley Durr, Liliana Geier and Madison Raymond.

MISS MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THE CHRISTMAS BELLES NATCHITOCHES – The 65th Miss Merry Christmas was crowned and the 2021 Natchitoches Christmas Belles were announced Saturday, September 11, 2021. 17 young ladies from three Natchitoches parish high schools competed for the title of Miss Merry Christmas and the honor of being selected a Christmas Belle. Julia Ferrell was crowned Miss

Merry Christmas 2021. Julia is a senior at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts. She is the daughter of Andrew and Christine Ferrell. Six girls were selected as Christmas Belles. They are Liliana Geier, a senior at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts; Anna Catherine Coleman, Natalie

Spillman, Madison Raymond, Tinley Durr and Amelia Broadway, seniors at Natchitoches Central High School. Emma Haecker was the recipient of the Barbara Kirsch Memorial Award. The Barbara Kirsch Award was established as a way to remember the positive influence Barbara had on others.

Emma Haecker

LET US LIGHT THE WAY TO A GREAT LOAN! HAVE A WONDERFUL & SAFE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS EXPERIENCE!

Merry Christmas FROM

95th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival

SERVICE LEAGUE EVENTS

LIGHT THE WAY 5K

The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting runners and walkers for Light the Way 5k and Fun Run, a nighttime race under the Christmas lights of historic downtown Natchitoches. The race will be Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7:05 p.m. beginning and ending in front of the riverbank stage. Registration and packet pick-up will begin at 4 p.m. In addition to the 5k, there will be a 1-mile fun run at 6:45 p.m. for those who just wish to walk and enjoy the lights. Awards will be given to win-

ners in each age bracket and to those with the most Christmas spirit. Race participants are encouraged to wear Christmas themed attire, costumes or ugly Christmas sweaters. Attendees will receive swag bags and race T-shirts with their registration. To register for this event visit NatchitochesChamber.com/Run. Proceeds will benefit the A+ Coalition, an education initiative of the Chamber dedicated to advancing education in Natchitoches Parish.

GRAND ECORE

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The Service League of Natchitoches, Inc., is an organization of women dedicated to helping those in need and supporting the cultural, historical, educational and charitable endeavors of Natchitoches, thus enhancing the efficiency of community service. The Christmas events the

Natchitoches Service League are participating include: Jingle and Mingle, a shop local initiative, is set for Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 5-9 p.m. at the Prud’homme Rouquier House. Local vendors will keep their doors open later so you can get some Christmas shopping done.

The Natchitoches Christmas Festival is a coordinated effort of dedicated volunteers who serve as committee chairmen or as a member of a committee. In addition to the valuable volunteers, we have a tremendous amount of support from our sponsors who help underwrite our efforts each year. We are grateful for all our supporters and volunteers for their commitment to this event.

Lee Waskom, Chairman Luke Frederick, Vendors Sandra Dickens, Advertising/Promotion Craig George, Fireworks Suzanne Bolton, Merchandise Randy LaCaze, Logistics Cassy Gebhart, Parade To find out how you can become a sponsor or to volunteer, contact one of the committee chairmen above or visit WWW.NATCHITOCHESCHRISTMAS.COM

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1071 Tauzin Island Rd. Natchitoches, LA 71457 Just 5 Minutes from Historic Downtown Natchitoches 18

95th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival

Celebrate the accomplishments of Louisiana athletes & discover 3,000 years of regional history at a dazzling museum in downtown Natchitoches. VISIT TODAY! LouisianaStateMuseum.org

Geno Delafose will perform Saturday, Dec. 4 (Christmas Festival Day) at 3 p.m. on the Fleur de Dis stage.

GENO DELAFOSE & FRENCH ROCKIN’ BOOGIE Geno Delafose (born February 6, 1971 in Eunice, Louisiana) is a zydeco accordionist and singer. He is one of the younger generations of the genre who has created the sound known as the nouveau zydeco. His sound is deeply rooted in traditional Creole music with strong influences from Cajun music and also country and western. His father is the famous zydeco accordion player John Delafose. Delafose was born and raised in Eunice, Louisiana. At the age of eight, he joined his father’s band, the Eunice Playboys as

a rubboard player and continued to play with the band until his father’s death in 1994. He also appeared on the several of the bands recordings. He switched to the accordion in the early 1990s and started to play as an opening act for his father. In 1994, he debuted with album French Rockin’ Boogie on Rounder Records. The name of this album also became the name of his band with whom he still plays with today. He released two more albums from the label, before signing with Time Square label to release Everybody’s Dancin’ in

2003. He has also appeared on the compilation album Creole Bred: A Tribute to Creole & Zydeco released in 2004 on Vanguard Records He has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the “Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album” category for his Le Cowboy Creole album (2007). He lives in Duralde, Louisiana, near Eunice where he operates his Double D Ranch raising cattle and horses. He also holds fan appreciation parties annually.

since 1892!

Shop with us this Christmas! Make the short drive to Many, Louisiana and shop the largest feed, farm and hardware store in this area. Outdoor Grills, Fish Fryers and Smokers Farm Toys • Case Pocket Knives • Pet Supplies Bird Feeders, Bird Houses and Feed Windchimes, Decorative Yard Flags Stihl Products • Saddles and Tack

Merry Christmas!

Family Owned by Tom & Linda Walker Manager: Chris Walker

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318-352-8141 exchange-bank.com 95th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SANTA CLAUS Kids always have questions for Santa, and many grown ups do as well, so the Natchitoches Times gave Santa a call. He took a break from making toys to answer some questions we all have. He loves the way the paper prints all the kids’ letters to him so he gave us a once upon a time, very rare interview as a thank you. Honest to goodness, we interviewed the one and only Santa, the one who comes into Natchitoches to join the Christmas parade at the Christmas Festival. • Does Rudolph like oats, carrots or sugar cubes best? He likes mainly what tehe children leave him on Christmas Eve, but for his general overall health we have to give him a mixture of all three, but he probably likes the sugar cubes best. • How dirty does your suit get coming down the chimney? Oh, my suit is specially treated with a magical treatment that the elves came up with and my suit doesn’t get dirty at all. • Do you like travelling in the snow? Sure, Santa loves the snow otherwise he’d be miserable in that thick suit. I very much love snow. • How do the reindeer fly? Flying reindeer are only at the North Pole, and only Santa’s reindeer. We have a very special

ingredient we add to the reindeer’s food about a month before Christmas. It is kept under lock and key and only Santa has the key. They practice and practice to be able to fly around the world many times Christmas Eve. • Don’t they get tired? Oh no, with the blend we put in their food, they’ve never gotten tired. Never do they get tired during the night, but they do get tired after. They’re as excited as the children are on Christmas Eve and that excitement keeps them going. It’s like when children go swimming, you don’t get tired when you’re swimming, you get tired when you stop. • If Santa eats all the cookies the kids leave out for him, won’t he get fat? Santa doesn’t eat it all, he shares it, then when he gets home, Mrs. Claus puts him on a very strict diet. He only indulges on cookies this one night. • How do the reindeer land on our roof if it’s slanted? That’s easy, they get on the part where the two sides of the roof comes together. Rudolph has super vision, like an airplane, so when we land we’re on that part that’s perfectly level. • What happens to Santa if there’s lightning, rain or a hurricane? We don’t’ have to use this often, but we do have a magical potion that makes a bubble around me, the sleigh and the reindeer. It makes it so we aren’t bothered by the weather. It’s like a clear bubble force shield. • What do you do in the summer holidays? You may see me at your town shopping. I have to watch all year to see which kids are good and which ones are not so good. You may think you saw Santa in the store and tell your mom. Well, I

Expires December 31, 2019 2021. Offer valid only at particiating McDonald’s restaurants in Mansfield, LA; Many, LA; Natchitoches, LA. LIMIT ONE COUPON PER PERSON PER VISIT.

95th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival

guess the secret is out, it may very well be me. • Do your elves build snowmen? They don’t have that much time because they’re busy making toys. Every once in a while they get to play in the snow just like all children and yes, build snowmen. Unknown fact, like other children, they don’t build typical snowmen, they build them to look like their buddies then they laugh and have fun when they do it. They all truly love snow and snowmen. • What are you favorite types of cookies? My favorite cookie in the whole wide world is a cookie that Mrs. Claus doesn’t have to bake! If a child loves chocolate chip, then I love chocolate chip because they do. It really doesn’t matter what kind of cookie is left for me, I really like the cookies left by the children with love. • How does Santa get into houses that don’t have a chimney? If you go in the front door, how? I don’t share this with everyone, but in this modern era, I have a very special key that has an electronic chip in it that allows me to go into every house, even the ones that don’t have a normal key or use a keypad. This magic key lets me in. • Do all the presents for all the children in the world fit on the sleigh, or does Santa have to go home to stock up? Here’s a big, big, BIG fact, when kids go to bed Christmas Eve, I (Santa) and the elves can stop time so we can make all the deliveries. That means you don’t know that you may have slept for a week, but if feels like only one night. We make lots of trips to the North Pole to reload. We snap our fingers to start time back and children never know. • How did you meet Mrs. Claus? We don’t want to say, don’t want them to question her family, but I will say we fell in love and became man and wife just like your mom and dad did. • What do you eat in the North Pole? Actually, I’m glad to share this with kids. We eat a lot of vegetables and not so much meat or fatty foods or sugar. It’s important to eat healthy so you can live a good long life so you can introduce your kids to the magic of Christmas. Another secret I have to share with the paper is people can go to the North pole and never, ever see Santa’s village. We live under the snow and ice and have green fields and crystal clear water and gardens. We’re there, but you can’t see us and we’re always busy making all the presents you want.

APPLE CRISP INGREDIENTS 5 medium apples 1 cup granulated sugar 1-1/4 cups white all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup oatmeal 1 cup brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1/4 cup shortening

Take advantage of the extra time you spend inside this winter to make some tasty meals. Here is a recipe for Apple Crisp. It’s made with ‘good for you’ ingredients - and won’t bother a sensitive bladder.

PREPARATION 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. 2. Spray a 9” x 9” pan with nonstick cooking spray. 3. Peel, core and slice apples. 4. Mix 1 cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons flour and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Add sliced apples and toss to coat. 5. Pour apple mixture into prepared pan. er. 6. Mix oatmeal, remaining flour, brown sugar, remaining cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder. Cut butter and vegetable shortening into this mixture with a pastry blender or a fork. 7. Pour topping over apples. 8. Bake for 1 hour. Regional Urology, 424 Dixie Plaza, Natchitoches, LA 71457, 318-352-6683

ILLUMINATED MEMORIES INFLUENCE A HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL LOGO UPDATE To commemorate the 95th year for the Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights, a Louisiana creative team was brought in to create a brand new Christmas Festival logo to light! By Oran Parker, Parker Brand Creative Services

It has always been important to us that the brands we create shine out front while taking our role as the creative support behind the scenes. Once in a while, we are invited to assist with a brand update that carries the gravity of history and community expectations. These brand updates often require that we honor the past while appealing to modern design sensibilities.

With the logo project for the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, it was clear that all of the factors mentioned earlier would be highly relevant. I have a personal love for the city of Natchitoches. I went directly to my own memory of my first experience of the Christmas lighting of the Cane River at Front Street for my inspiration. It was 26 years ago, long before I had really seen photos of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. Up to that point, I had only heard how lovely the city was. Many friends had spoken of the Christmas Festival, and the light reflected on the Cane River. I recall that cold evening, the lifting residual haze from the fireworks illuminated like an enchanted fog by thousands of displays, each doubled by the moving mirror of the river. While the fireworks show was

legendary in scale, it was the quiet splendor of the lighted riverfront displays that brought on a chorus of audible gasps from the festival-goers. It was a moment of awe and joy that made a claim in my heart. I wondered if we could create a Natchitoches Christmas Festival logo that might harken back to that precious moment, so that’s where our design research began. We collected various images from the City of Lights, focus-

ing on the illuminated displays along the river. We keyed in on specific details that clearly represent the particular place and season while still providing universal appeal. The particular colors in these displays had a heavy influence over the palette ultimately selected for the full-color logo design. As crucial as the riverfront displays are, it was vital that we also create something that would evoke overall Christmas cheer. Continued on next page.

Ofﬁcial Festival Merchandise 2021 natchitoches christmas

SHIRT & ORNAMENT

Ofﬁcial Festival Merchandise available in Natchitoches stores: Georgia’s Gift Shop Gifts Galore & More 22

The Hall Tree Louisiana Purchase

95th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival

Kafﬁe- Frederick Posey’s Sports Center

FESTIVAL LOGO UPDATE Continued from previous page

The design should be indicative of the infamous Christmas Festival fireworks displays while also paying homage to the historic foundation of the centuries-old city. We looked at something personal and close to our family’s Christmas lineage to bring these elements together. Each year at Christmas, my wife and I pull out a special box that contains several antique family Christmas ornaments. Each was meticulously beaded by her beloved grandmother, and we treat them with tender care. The decorations call back to a different time, space, and pace that Natchitoches seems uniquely suited to capture. We went directly to these ornaments with their lovely beadwork for inspiration as we started this design project. If you look closely, you will see that heirloom sensibility throughout the new logo design, particularly when it is displayed in bright white on red or green backgrounds. Once all our guiding design decisions had been made, we started the project with simple sketches. These ultimately translated into white beadwork—albeit digital—on a dark background, simulating the stippled ornaments of years past. As the logo design started to take shape, color was added. Not unlike the incandescent displays that have been drawing visitors to Natchitoches, Louisiana for 95 years, it was

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clear the logo should stand the test of time, whether it was presented in single tones or vivid color. In this new logo design for the Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights, we see a glimmer of everything we love about the city of Natchitoches and its pinnacle event. It reminds of the unique Natchitoches charm, witnessed in a soft, kaleidoscopic Christmas glow on the bricks of Front Street. It smacks of colorful, warm, ornamental icing on fresh sugar cookies and treats. It draws on our memories of hanging cherished, vintage ornaments on the branches of our own Christmas trees with our beloved family. It widens our eyes in anticipation of fiery streamers flying skyward to release a pyrotechnic painting in the cool night sky. Most of all, it clues us into the historical story of Natchitoches, Louisiana. It is a logo that is an invitation to be joyous and happy during the holiday season, encouraging travelers to be merry, to explore and to come back and visit again.

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95th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival

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