29th Annual Northwestern State University Folk Festival

The Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival, which originated in 1980, is a four-time winner of the prestigious "Top Twenty Events in the Southeast" Award given by the Southeast Tourism Society. In 1980, 1981, and 1982, the Folk Festival was supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Louisiana Division of the Arts. While the Festival attempts to be largely self-supporting, Northwestern State University of Louisiana provides necessary and much appreciated financial support. The Folk Festival, as the inclusion of NSU in its name suggests, is fully integrated into the life of Northwestern and is a full-fledged University event. In addition to grant and university support, financial help from numerous corporate sponsors and hundreds of dedicated individuals is vital to the Festival.

While the Folk Festival is an attraction in itself, the riverfront town of Natchitoches, settled by the French in 1714 and highlighted in the 1998 Robert Harling film Steel Magnolias, offers many family activities. The architecture, folkways, and cuisine, are monuments to 300 years of different cultures living together --Caddo Indians, French, Spanish, African, Anglo, Italian, Creole, and many others.

The Festival is held in cool, comfortable air-conditioned Prather Coliseum, on the campus of Northwestern State University of Louisiana in historic Natchitoches. The site is located just east of I-49, provides ample, nearby parking and is handicap-accessible. The festival has an alcohol free environment.

Schedule of Events

East Stage
9:00-9:30 Red River Pipes & Drums
10:00-10:45 Muggivan School of Irish Dance
11:00-12:15 Knight Train
12:30-1:45 Mauva Belle & Hot Water
2:00-3:15 The Conlys Irish Band
3:30-4:45 Danny O’Flaherty
5:00-6:15 Chris Miller & Bayou Roots
6:30-7:30 Curry Perkins
8:00-9:15 Louisiana Purchase Bluegrass

West Stage
9:00-9:45 Activ-8-ers Square Dance Lessons
10:00-10:45 Cajun Dance Lessons
11:00-12:15 The Conlys Irish Band
12:30-1:45 Detention Center Choir
2:00-3:15 Knight Train
3:30-4:45 Mauva Belle & Hot Water
5:00-6:15 Kim Brasso & Louisiana Boogie
6:30-7:45 Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys
8:00-9:15 Kim Brasso & Louisiana Boogie

Main Stage
9:00-1:00 Louisiana State Fiddle Championship
9:00-1:00 Louisiana State Fiddle Championship
9:00-1:00 Louisiana State Fiddle Championship
1:00-2:00 Welcome Ceremony
2:00-2:30 Red River Pipes & Drums
2:45-3:15 Muggivan School of Irish Dance
3:30-4:45 Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys
5:00-6:00 Louisiana Purchase Bluegrass
6:00-6:30 LA State Fiddle Champion
6:30-7:45 Danny O’Flaherty
8:00-9:15 Chris Miller & Bayou Roots
9:30-10:45 Rivers Revue

Narrative Sessions
9:00-9:45 Scottish Genealogy
10:00-10:45 Spinning & Weaving Wool
11:00-11:45 Scots-Irish Settlers
12:00-12:45 Irish Storytelling
1:00-1:45 English Tea
2:00-2:45 Irish Culture
3:00-3:45 North Louisiana Music
4:00-4:45 Blacksmithing
5:00-5:45 Needlework
6:00-6:45 English Gardens

Tickets
$8.00 All day & evening
$5.00 Evening Only
$3.00 Kids 7-12
Free Kids 6 and under

Location: Louisiana Folklife Center, Box 3663, NSU, Natchitoches, LA 71497