By Doug Ireland
It’s always the right time to visit Natchitoches, and never a better time than the holiday season when the City of Lights sparkles with 38 miles of Christmas bulbs strung throughout the downtown historic district and flanking Cane River Lake.
The weekly Saturday night fireworks shows continue through Dec. 27 and the lights stay on into the New Year. There are four drone shows preceding fireworks – visit natchitocheschristmas.com for the full schedule.
The north end of Front Street, at the traffic circle, is a prime spot for photos next to the Christmas display and fountains, with the panoramic lights display above and in the background providing background for that perfect picture.
Right across the street is another wonderful reason to visit Natty: the 12-year-old Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, housed in a $23 million, 27,000-square foot, two-story structure that was the No. 1 new architectural project in the world upon its opening in 2013.
On Fireworks Saturdays, the museum has extended hours, until a little bit before the 7 p.m. show over Cane River. From Tuesday-Friday, the hours are 10-4:30, which leaves time for an early supper or happy hour festivities along the bricks at all of the locally-owned establishments as darkness arrives and the lights begin to shine.
New museum director Dr. Emily Bryant, a Natchitoches native thrilled to be back home, and her team host some entertaining programming along with welcoming visitors of all ages at low admission prices topping out at $6.
In the last few weeks, the Hall of Fame has displayed its range, hosting evening programs that showcased the iconic Steel Magnolias movie filmed in Natchitoches in 1988; an acclaimed documentary Ragin’ 13 focusing on the remarkable people from different cultural backgrounds who brought multiple weightlifting national championships to what is now UL-Lafayette over a decade starting In 1958; and Perfect Pilots, a panel discussion and exhibit opening featuring the only undefeated college baseball team in the history of the sport, the 2025 LSUS Pilots — who play in the same conference with LCU and LSUA.
There’s the Friday Lunchtime Lagniappe program series monthly, and tours of the history-rich American Cemetery led by the museum’s Scott Williams. And more – visit the Facebook page of FLASH – Friends of Louisiana Sports and History for info on upcoming events as well as coverage of visitors and programming.
The current “changing exhibit” in the Atmos Energy Gallery is “Creole Origins, Cane River Diasporas 1770-1830” which is nearing the end of a 15-month run early next year. This exhibit will take you back to early days of the region’s European influx blending with Native Americans with an array of fascinating displays and story boards. It is Smithsonian quality and was in fact compiled by archivists who have worked with the nation’s premiere museum.
In spring, the acclaimed “Billy Cannon: They Called Him Legend” exhibit will migrate up from the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge for residency in Natchitoches. The Cannon Family Trust has provided a treasure trove of items that commemorate the 1958 Heisman Trophy winner’s life, from his high school days in Baton Rouge through his lengthy NFL career.
The first months of next year will also see the development of a gift shop just inside the front door, along with a refreshed entry to enhance the already vibrant visitor experience.
It’s all pointing toward the Hall of Fame’s 2026 Induction Celebration June 25-27, with the 12- person class including Alexandria’s own Warren Morris. The Bolton High product is best known for his game-winning, walk-off home run to give LSU a College World Series championship in June 1996. The 30 th anniversary of one of our state’s greatest sports moments is a fitting time to usher the local banker into the Hall of Fame, along with a great collection of other sports greats.
Check the LaSportsHall.com website for ticket and event information about the Induction Celebration and other LSHOF news – including how you can help support the museum by joining the Hall of Fame Team for as little as $10 monthly.
A $250 (or more, can be paid painlessly on a monthly bank draft) annual donation gets free admission not only to the Natchitoches-based museum, and the rest of the eight Louisiana State Museum properties in South Louisiana, but also over 140 museums around the country and beyond – including some of our nation’s most acclaimed museums.
It all begins with a visit to Natchitoches. This is the ideal time to make the trip, and when you do, set aside an hour or two to soak in the special experiences you’ll savor at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum.
