The temperatures are rising as May's warm weathers relent to June's summer heat. All across Natchitoches barbeque pits are firing up as summer vacations begin their stride. Beautiful plantation homes are open for tours and Bed and Breakfasts are all turning down their sheets to make way for the coming highs of the tourist season. Families looking for fun and excitement have to travel no further than the beautiful sight Natchitoches Parish has to offer. Cane River Lake and Sabine Lake are both open for fishing and water recreation while Kasatchie offers the beautiful natural springs and nature trails for everyone's enjoyment.
June heats up as barbeque cooks from all over the south head to Cane River Lake to participate in Cookin On the Cane, an official state championship in its second year at Natchitoches. This event is hosted by the area Jaycees and is open to both professional and non professional cooks. The event will take place on the first and second of June as the beautiful Natchitoches riverfront. There will be food vendors, live music, children's events, and even a children's bbq contest to test young skills at the grill. Cookin on the Cane will showcase real southern food and fun while providing some of the proceeds to local charities. Bring the family, bring your appetites to the riverfront, and get ready to have fun at a championship that is sure to become a staple point in a Louisiana summer.
Also, the Cane River Green Market will continue every Saturday through the entire summer. Open from 8:00 to 12:00, the Green Market offers local vegetables, honey, homemade jellies and jams, and local arts and crafts. There will be food vendors on site, live music, and children's events to appeal to the whole family and to benefit local farmers. The Green Market is a welcomed event to locals and tourists alike, so bring out your family and taste what the market has to offer.
Louisiana wildlife artist Don Edwards has been chosen selected as the guest artist in Natchitoches Art Guild & Gallery. Edwards was named Conservation Communicator of the year for his work in helping preserve the Tensas River Wildlife Refuge. Edwards will be in Natchitoches for a meet and greet session on June 9th at the Art Guild & Gallery on beautiful down town Front Street from two to four in the afternoon. Anyone wanting to see his work can come by the Gallery during regular business hours. Edward's work is stunningly lifelike and beautiful. His colors almost leap right off the page and bring the stunning realization of Louisiana's beauty.
At the end of June the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame will hold an induction at the downtown museum. Since 1972 Natchitoches has been the home for the state hall of fame and has been honored to be the keepers of such record of athletes excelling in sports. A new museum is being constructed on Front Street and will be a beautiful addition to the Natchitoches area. The induction will be June 23rd and 24th from nine in the morning till five in the afternoon and will consist of both a kick off reception and community outreach activities for both local residents and visiting tourists alike.
The summer festivities are cranking up and June is just the beginning of bright warm weather and blue skies. Families looking for that great southern vacation will find it in Natchitoches, the city of lights and within the borders of Natchitoches parish.