May gets started with a bang as the yearly Sale on the Trail. The El Camino de los Tejas National Historic trails is one of the most famous roadways in America. On May 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. landowners and businesses from Natchitoches , La to Crockett, Tx will hold yard sales, flea markets, festivals, trade shows, and sidewalk sales all along this famous trail. Visitors can find great deals while taking in some of the most breathtaking landscapes this portion of the country can offer. Also on May 5th and every Saturday of the month, the Cane River Green Market will offer fresh produces, arts and crafts, and live music to patrons on the banks of the Cane River from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

New Iberia native Ann Harpel will be featured by the Natchitoches Art Guild in the month of May. Harpel is mainly an oil painter who also works with acrylics from time to time. Her love of nature is bright and evident in the colorful hues she portrays in her life and art. Visitors can view her marvelous work at the Natchitoches Art Guild from Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Her magical touch on canvas will warm visitor’s hearts and brighten their smiles as they behold her pure talent.

Northwestern State University will be holding live sport events and the NSU Fais Do-Do. NSU’s championship baseball team will be holding home games all month and will be fighting their way towards state and national championships as they are cheered on by scores of home crowds. On May 11th, NSU faculty and staff will be holding a family outdoor event for NSU students, Alumni, and Community supporters. This celebration will have live music, food, entertainment, and door prizes for those who attend. The event will be held at Collins Pavilion near Turpin Stadium and tickets will be available at the Alumni Center for $30 per person with children 12 and under eating free. Fees can be payable to the NSU foundation by phoning Jill Bankston at (318) 357-4241 or emailing her at bankstonj@nsula.edu . Tickets will also be available online at www.northwesternalumni.com.

May stands to a be a powerhouse opening to the summer tourism season and just a preview of many great and beautiful things to come. Natchitoches visitors and residents will be treated to live entertainment all month long and fine dining along the beautiful Front Street. If you’re looking for something outside the ordinary, try discovering the beautiful plantation homes that lie in the Natchez and Melrose areas. These magnificent icons of an age gone by are treasures of the culture and history of the area. Daily tours are held at Melrose Plantation from 12-4, except for major holidays. Large groups are able to be accommodated by appointment. If travel is out for the day, try a trolley ride at the Tourism Commission in beautiful downtown Natchitoches, or maybe a carriage ride around the wonderful historic district Natchitoches has to offer. Whatever avenue you take, May stands open and ready to offer visitors and locals alike, a true glance at a welcoming southern summer.

April showers have given way to a beautiful month, filled with events, in the city of Natchitoches. Starting off on April 5th 2012, Natchitoches will host the Jazz in the Park event. This event will take place in the newly constructed Beau Jardin in downtown Natchitoches. Live entertainment will be provided by the Chico’s Quintet +1 and will last from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This event will free to the public and attendees are encouraged to bring their own refreshments and chairs.

Throughout the entire month of April, the Natchitoches Art Guild will be featuring guest artists. Linda Henson of Jasper, Texas has been selected as the guest artist for the months of March and April and a special reception will be held in her honor on April 14th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the gallery located on Front Street. Michael Yoist, award winning artist and longtime member of the Natchitoches Art Guild, will also be featured in the months of March and April. His work can be found in the Natchitoches Art Gallery and is often sought after by collectors all over the world.

If you find yourself lacking in excitement, the Alligator Park has once again opened its gates for weekend tourists looking to get a taste of Louisiana wildlife. The five-acre park offers a unique view of authentic Cajun country side, filled with unique plants and animals, and cuisine that makes your mouth water—and don’t forget the alligators. The park offers feeding shows that provide both entertainment elements along with a little bit of education about the scaled icons of Louisiana.

The first annual Cane River Thunder- Full Throttle motorcycle rally will take place on the riverbank Cane River in beautiful downtown Natchitoches. The rally will start on April 14th and runs through the 15th. Events will include a fun run, bike show, bike games, live auction, prizes, vendors, a blessing of the bikes, and live music throughout the day. Registration for the Cane River Fun Run will be at 9:00 a.m. on April 14th 2012 and while the event is free to the public, all donations will be welcomed and all proceeds will be given to Operation Home Front- Louisiana.

The annual Melrose Arts and Crafts festival is held on the grounds of the Melrose Plantation on April 21, 2012. This juried event showcases the work of more than 150 artists and craftsmen.

On April 28th Cane River Green Market returns with fresh produce and arts and crafts provided by Natchitoches farmers and craftsmen. This event will happen every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 12 noon and admission is free to the public. The Cane River Green Market coincides with the City of Natchitoches’ Earth Day celebrations and the Natchitoches’ citywide cleanup. Cane River Green Market will have local fresh produce, honey, arts and crafts, and will hold events including live music and local food vendors. For more information please click here.

The month of April stands to be fun filled month for visitors and local residents alike. Live music, live entertainment, and local events will fill every day of the week and offer welcoming invitation for those looking to taste real Louisiana fun. Visitors can partake in historic events that showcase arts and crafts made by local people and designed to celebrate the culture and the lifestyle of Louisiana peoples. So come to Natchitoches, kick back, and enjoy what the City of Lights has to offer!

Artists and craftsmen from Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and as far as New Mexico and Illinois will be displaying handcrafted work on the beautiful grounds of historic Melrose plantation, located 18 miles south of Natchitoches. The festival is one of the largest arts & crafts shows held in Louisiana. Painting, drawing, whimsical portraiture, photography, unique pottery, clothing, furniture, candles and fragrances, whistles, clocks and pens, preserves and relishes, as well as objects made for home and garden of metal, wood, cloth, wire and  glass, meat pies and other regional foods will be available.

Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children under 12 years of age. In addition to the festival, guided tours of the Main House and African House will be available for $5.00.

Melrose plantation is a unique complex designated as a National Historic Landmark. The original colonial residence, Yucca House, was built in 1796. The Big House was for many years the residence of Cammie Henry who offered accommodations and a working environment for artists and writers.

Vendor applications are still being accepted. Vendor inquiries call Susan Davidson at (318) 379-0800 or email carriedavidson@hughes.net.  Applications are also available online at www.aphnatchitoches.net. The event is sponsored by The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches.

For more information about upcoming events in Natchitoches call (800) 259-1714 or visit www.natchitoches.net.

Land owners and businesses located on Highway 6 in Louisiana and Highway 21 in Texas from Natchitoches, Louisiana to Crockett, Texas will hold yard sales, flea markets, festivals, trade shows, sidewalk sales, and more along this famous trail providing a wonderful weekend of touring and shopping.

Those landowners and businesses east of the Grand Ecore Bridge to the Sabine River are encouraged to participate.  Registration is recommended.  There is no registration fee and along with registration, each participant will receive free red and yellow balloons and a free keepsake yard sign.

For more information, please contact the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission at (318) 256-5880, the Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 259-1714 or the Nacogdoches, TX Convention & Visitors Bureau at (888) 653-3788 . Visit www.elcaminorealtx.com for additional information on the Trail.