Jennie Guido
The champion crepe myrtle of Mississippi lives at Bontura, the home of Ruthie and Jim Coy.
Just when you thought there was a festival for everything, someone comes along and notices what’s missing. That happened one day last July, when historic property specialist Peter Patout visited Natchez, Mississippi, and was gobsmacked by the quiet riot of white- and pink-crowned crepe myrtle trees lining Homochitto Street. “The whole town was just laden with blooming crepe myrtles, and I’d never seen it like that,” said Patout. “I guess I’d just never been in Natchez at the right time of year before.” Looking around with newly opened eyes, Patout realized that crepe myrtles were everywhere—upwards of ten thousand within the city limits alone. Later, over drinks at a friend’s house Patout learned about the labors of Natchez resident Ms. Sallie Ballard, who in the year 2000 oversaw the planting of two thousand specimens of Natchez White and other varieties of crepe myrtles around town. Twenty years later Ms. Ballard’s vision of city streets lined with pink and white blossoms has borne fruit, so to speak, and the summertime bloom has to be seen to be believed. To Patout—an aesthete not in the habit of taking beautiful things for granted, this would not do. Thus was the Natchez International Crepe Myrtle Festival born.
This June 21 & 22—during the height of the bloom—crepe myrtle cravers visiting Natchez get to celebrate the summer solstice by joining the “Crepe Crawl,” a guided, open-container-friendly walking tour that passes through some of the most spectacular allées of trees in town. On Saturday morning garden historians, landscape architects, and master gardeners will be at the Historic Natchez Foundation to deliver educational lectures and workshops exploring the history, varieties, and proper care and pruning of crepe myrtles. Attendees will also be furnished with information for self-guided tours visiting some of Natchez’s most crepe-encrusted historical attractions, including the Natchez City Cemetery, Auburn Antebellum Home, and Monmouth Historic Inn & Gardens. Saturday activities also coincide with the Natchez Farmer’s Market, with live music, fresh produce, baked goods, and arts and crafts for sale. Headquarters for festival information, maps, and tickets to join the Friday Crepe Crawl will be at Natchez Architectural and Art Discoveries, 515 Main Street. Don’t let anyone tell you there’s nothing to do in Natchez in summertime.
See the calendar listing here for more information.
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