NATCHITOCHES – The Natchitoches-Northwestern State University Folk Festival, a perennially popular event held each July at NSU since 1979, will not take place in its traditional format, according to Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the Louisiana Folklife Center.

“The Louisiana Folklife Center has been monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic very closely and has postponed making a decision about the 2020 festival in hopes that the situation would improve. However, it is with a great deal of sadness that unfortunately this year’s Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival will not be able to be held in a face-to-face format,” Rasmussen said.  “The Louisiana Folklife Center is exploring options for virtual ways to celebrate Louisiana’s rich folk cultures this year. More information will be coming soon.”

Although plans for the festival remain uncertain, the 2020 Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival t-shirt will be available soon.  The t-shirt was designed by Matt DeFord, coordinator of NSU’s Department of Fine and Graphic Art, with the theme “Celebrating Louisiana’s French Cultures.” The shirts will be available through the Louisiana Folklife Center website and the LFC Facebook page soon.

For more information, contact Rasmussen at rasmussens@nsula.edu or (318) 357-4332.