NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

5/30/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-The Natchitoches ­ Northwestern Folk Festival will honor this country's military at the 23rd annual event July 19-20. The Festival will be held in air conditioned Prather Coliseum.

Events begin Friday, July 19 at noon and Saturday, July 20 at 10 a.m. A two-day all-event pass will sell for $12 and $5 for children age 7-12. The all-event pass must be purchased before the Festival. Tickets for individual days are $7 and $3 for children. Evening passes are $5 after 6 p.m. each day and $3 for children.

This year's festival will feature a variety of music, arts and crafts, food, exhibits, military equipment and memorabilia as well as narrative sessions focusing on aspects of the military.

"We are delighted and excited to have this opportunity to honor American
veterans and active duty personnel," said Dr. Lisa Abney, director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University and the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival. "We hope this will be a fitting tribute to the efforts our military has and is making."

More than 25 musical groups will be featured playing all types of music performed in Louisiana including country, Cajun, folk, jazz and zydeco. Among the groups scheduled to headline on Friday, July 19 are Jay Cormier and Cajun Country, the Natchitoches Jazz Orchestra and Maggie Warwick. Saturday night headliners include Bernie Alan and Night Train, Glenn Jacqueneaux and Jackpot, Sugarloaf Swing and Rocque's Blues Band.

Veterans of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Gulf War and other military operations will have an opportunity to discuss their experiences.

"It is very important to put these events and hear the stories directly from the people who were there," said Abney. "We think giving the public an opportunity to hear these stories will be both educational and interesting. These narrative sessions are so important for documentation of the experiences of the people who lived through these military involvements. They also help those who are listening make a connection between what they have read in history books or seen in a movie or television program and what really happened."

The Festival will also include the popular KidFest which will include a number of activities designed for children. A new feature will be a type of "Antiques Roadshow." Appraisers will be on hand to evaluate toys, autographs, collectibles, furniture, silver, china, jewelry, political or military memorabilia, crystal, old license plates and historic documents for $2.50 per item. Due to university regulations, guns cannot be brought for appraisal.

The Louisiana Maneuvers Museum along with other military museums and installations will also provide a number of static displays and educational exhibits.

For more information on the Festival, call (318) 357-4332, e-mail folklife@nsula.edu or go to www.nsula.edu/folklife.

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