Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival

Every spring, Melrose Plantation hosts an Arts & Crafts Festival, the longest-running of its kind in the state. This two-day event, sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches, attracts more than two thousand visitors each year from throughout the nation and world. The festival presents local artists, handmade items for your home and yard, gorgeous works of art, flowers, local food, and live music. Melrose’s festival focuses on presenting artisans who demonstrate their crafts at the festival itself so that festival-goers can get a first-hand look at the artistic process in action. Jewelry, paintings, wooden furniture, and other items will take shape, and examples will be available to purchase directly.  Saturday 9 am–5 pm; Sunday 10 am–4 pm. Admission $5, $2 children six to twelve, free for kids five-and-younger. melroseplantation.org.