April showers have scattered and have given birth to the beautiful month of May. The sun has peaked through the clouds and will fill the weekends with soft cool breezes and warm, welcoming weather. Front Street is lined with bright, colorful flowers, and the river bank is filled with life as locals and tourists alike take to the streets and take in their fill of the beautiful weather at hand.
May gets started with a bang as the yearly Sale on the Trail. The El Camino de los Tejas National Historic trails is one of the most famous roadways in America. On May 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. landowners and businesses from Natchitoches , La to Crockett, Tx will hold yard sales, flea markets, festivals, trade shows, and sidewalk sales all along this famous trail. Visitors can find great deals while taking in some of the most breathtaking landscapes this portion of the country can offer. Also on May 5th and every Saturday of the month, the Cane River Green Market will offer fresh produces, arts and crafts, and live music to patrons on the banks of the Cane River from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
New Iberia native Ann Harpel will be featured by the Natchitoches Art Guild in the month of May. Harpel is mainly an oil painter who also works with acrylics from time to time. Her love of nature is bright and evident in the colorful hues she portrays in her life and art. Visitors can view her marvelous work at the Natchitoches Art Guild from Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Her magical touch on canvas will warm visitor's hearts and brighten their smiles as they behold her pure talent.
Northwestern State University will be holding live sport events and the NSU Fais Do-Do. NSU's championship baseball team will be holding home games all month and will be fighting their way towards state and national championships as they are cheered on by scores of home crowds. On May 11th, NSU faculty and staff will be holding a family outdoor event for NSU students, Alumni, and Community supporters. This celebration will have live music, food, entertainment, and door prizes for those who attend. The event will be held at Collins Pavilion near Turpin Stadium and tickets will be available at the Alumni Center for $30 per person with children 12 and under eating free. Fees can be payable to the NSU foundation by phoning Jill Bankston at (318) 357-4241 or emailing her at bankstonj@nsula.edu . Tickets will also be available online at www.northwesternalumni.com.
May stands to a be a powerhouse opening to the summer tourism season and just a preview of many great and beautiful things to come. Natchitoches visitors and residents will be treated to live entertainment all month long and fine dining along the beautiful Front Street. If you're looking for something outside the ordinary, try discovering the beautiful plantation homes that lie in the Natchez and Melrose areas. These magnificent icons of an age gone by are treasures of the culture and history of the area. Daily tours are held at Melrose Plantation from 12-4, except for major holidays. Large groups are able to be accommodated by appointment. If travel is out for the day, try a trolley ride at the Tourism Commission in beautiful downtown Natchitoches, or maybe a carriage ride around the wonderful historic district Natchitoches has to offer. Whatever avenue you take, May stands open and ready to offer visitors and locals alike, a true glance at a welcoming southern summer.