 Join me for the Festival! Take in the Blooms. Natchez has over 10,000 Crepe Myrtles and Counting...
Festival Itinerary & Event Updates Posted Here: Visit Natchez This really happened! It all started with an idea I had last summer to celebrate the abundant beauty of Crepe Myrtles in Natchez! No other city can boast the extraordinary display of Crepe Myrtles blooming like Natchez, Mississippi. On Friday, June 21 & Saturday, June 22, Crepe Myrtles will be the star of a festival celebrating their beauty and offering educational talks to promote their continued enjoyment. Book your stay now! Beginning with a Crepe Crawl (walk) downtown Friday night, and gathering again Saturday, at the Natchez Farmers Market where Master Gardeners offer advice and Crepe Myrtles will be on sale, and then onto free lectures at the Natchez Historic Foundation covering Crepe Myrtle history and proper maintenance - yes Crepe Murder is to be avoided! There’s also a self-guided tour to view the city’s most splendid blooms on Saturday and book signings. CREPE MYRTLE CENTRAL Downtown headquarters for maps, Friday tickets & information: Natchez Architectural and Art Discoveries, 515 Main Street Owned by our Crepe Myrtle ambassador, Jim Smith FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2019, 6-9 pm The Crepe Crawl (walk) - A fun night among the Crepe Myrtles walking along the famous “open container route”. Starting Point: Crepe Myrtle Central, 515 Main Street. Must be 21 years of age, $20 provides 2 wrist-bands for a 2-for-1 drink or appetizer at participating restaurants and a 2-for-1 cover charge at participating live music venues.  By G Douglas Adams SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019, 8 am to 12 Noon, Natchez Farmers Market,100 block South Commerce Street. Live music, fresh produce, baked goods, fresh dairy, arts and crafts and more from local growers and artists. Crepe Myrtle trees for sale. Master Gardeners handy with advice. 9 am to Noon, Educational Programming, Free Lectures & Workshop, Historic Natchez Foundation,108 South Commerce Street, Conference Room. Welcome by Peter Patout and others who will honor the memory of Sallie Ballard. Topics include:
Festival Sponsors are Invited
My vision for the Natchez International Crepe Myrtle Festival was met with a groundswell of enthusiasm from these garden and community leaders: Co-Chair Regina & Doug Charboneau, Co-Chair Elaine & Mike Gemmell, Butch & Shields Brown, Jeff Mansell, Jennifer Combs, Stratton Hall, Debbie Hudson, Jim Smith, Eddie Burkes, Marcia McCullough, Peter Bundgard (current President of the Adams County Master Gardeners), Doug Adams, Bettie Jo Harris, James Wade, David Carter, Hedy Boelte, Warren and Nancy Reuther, Samantha Brown, Jim Johnson, Geoff Butcher, Rita Tebbetts, Joanne King - Crepe Myrtle QueenMother, Margaret Graves, Al Walker, Jim Blough, Carter Burns, Colleen Conner, Donna Ballard Maselli, Brenda Fuller, Clark Feiser, Lee Anne Garner, Sherry Hansen, Jason Jones, Melinda Kent, Monroe Sago, Sandra V. Ellard, Marla Toman, and more! The Natchez-Adams Community Alliance is a sponsor providing fiduciary oversight and support.  Photo by Ben Hllyer, Natchez Democrat With this festival, we are honoring the memory of Sallie Ballard. Many historic 19th - 20th century trees have survived. In the year 2,000, Sallie Ballard made it her mission to plant 2,000 Natchez White and colorful specimens of Crepe Myrtles throughout her beloved city. The Crepe Myrtles Ms. Ballard established have made Natchez the “Crepe Myrtle Capital of the World!
Interestingly, Saturday events also coincide with the Summer Solstice - the longest day of the year, thus marking the first day of summer!
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