Natchitoches’ commercial district is located in a National Historic Landmark District and the Cane River National Heritage Area. The city-funded Natchitoches Main Street program, which Louisiana Main Street designated in 1993, cultivates strong partnerships with preservation, economic development and tourism organizations to gain broad-based support of its commercial district revitalization efforts. The Main Street Four-Point Approach is a community-driven, comprehensive methodology used to revitalize older, traditional business districts throughout the United States. The underlying premise of the Main Street approach is to encourage economic development within the context of historic preservation in ways appropriate to today's marketplace. The Main Street Approach advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership and a sense of community. The Main Street Four-Point Approach is a comprehensive strategy that is tailored to meet local needs and opportunities. It encompasses work in four distinct areas-Design, Economic Restructuring, Promotion and Organization. These concepts are combined to address all of the commercial district's needs.
Natchitoches Main Street was honored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Main Street Center as a Great American Main Street Award winner in 2006. The award recognizes achievement in revitalizing America’s historic and traditional commercial districts. The Natchitoches Main Street community has received several awards from the Louisiana Main Street Program in recognition of outstanding historic preservation projects, downtown programming and retail promotions.
The Main Street Program hosts several festivals, events and programs throughout the year in downtown Natchitoches.
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Some of these events include:
Mardi Gras Magic
Alive After 5
Summer Splash
Bloomin’ on the Bricks
Cane River Green Market
Celebration on the Cane
Witch Way to Main Street
Turn on the Holidays
Cookies With Santa
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For a complete calendar of events for the Natchitoches area, please visit www.natchitoches.net.
For more information about the Natchitoches Main Street Program please visit www.downtownnatchitoches.com, call toll free 1-866-941-MAIN (6246) or email lsmith@natchitochesla.gov.
Cane River Green Market
View information on our website or visit www.canerivergreenmarket.com
Rental of Virginia Baker Park:
Overlooking scenic Cane River Lake in Historic Downtown Natchitoches, Virginia Baker Park, located on the north end of Natchitoches’ downtown riverbank, is the ideal location for your perfect day. Ample parking and nearby public restrooms make the park a fantastic outdoor ceremony or reception location.
Virginia Baker Park is available for weddings, wedding receptions, family reunions, birthday parties, company events, etc.
For more information, contact the Natchitoches Main Street Office at (318) 352-2746 or toll free at 1-866-941-MAIN (6246). Park reservations should be made no more than three months in advance. Click here for an application.
Rental of the Natchitoches Arts Center:
The Natchitoches Arts Center is primarily used by the City of Natchitoches for civic meetings and functions such as City Council, Planning and Zoning, Historic District Commission, etc. The building is also available for regular community meetings such as: Sons of Confederate Veterans, Genealogy Club, Tourist Commission, Relay for Life, Humane Society, etc. The Arts Center is not available for social functions including wedding receptions, showers, private parties, political events, etc.
All uses must be approved by the Natchitoches Main Street Manager. All bookings in the Arts Center should be made at least one week prior to the event through the Main Street Office.
For a list of Natchitoches Arts Center regulations, please click here.
For more information or to reserve the Natchitoches Arts Center, please contact:
Leslie Smith, Main Street Manager
Natchitoches City Hall
700 Second Street Natchitoches, LA 71457
(318) 352-2746 or toll free 1-866-941-MAIN (6246)
lsmith@natchitochesla.gov