Come out to celebrate the Natchez Tricentennial Wednesday with children’s activities that will last all day and into the night!

Events are planned for ages toddler through 12 years, but children of all ages are welcome. Daytime events will focus on Natchez Indian and French Colonial history, as well as celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service (NPS). Light refreshments will be served at each location.

Free events begin at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians at 400 Jeff Davis Blvd. from 9:30-11:30 a.m. where children can participate in crafts and games related to the Natchez Indians. They were the native people living in this area when the French established Fort Rosalie on Aug. 3, 1716.

Children will be able to create their own “faux” deerskin art, decorate clay bowls, do basket weaving and play Native American games such as ball and cup, stick and hoop and darts. They can watch atlatl and blowgun demonstrations. There will also be a special touch table exhibit with replicas of Native American tools, a French military uniform and other French colonial items.

Next is a visit to the Natchez Visitor Reception Center (NVRC) at 640 S. Canal St. for the Natchez National Historical Park free Junior Ranger activities from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Games and crafts will relate to both the French at Fort Rosalie as well as to the NPS, and children will be able to earn a Junior Ranger badge. Staff from the Southeast Archeological Center who have carried out archeological excavations at Fort Rosalie will have a special table and exhibit for the kids with a clay activity, and an archeologist will be present.

Children will be able to express birthday wishes for the City and the NPS with sidewalk chalk art, learn the meaning of the NPS Arrowhead emblem, learn about European trade beads and discover the difference between the French flags of 1716 and today, while participating in craft activities. They can design their own NPS arrowhead with stamps, make a trade bead necklace and create Fleur-De-Lis bookmark or bracelet. There will be games and a resource table with additional take home materials. In the event of rain, activities will be moved inside the NVRC.

Then at 6 p.m., the City’s big birthday bash will begin on Broadway Street with music, food trucks, free inflatables and carnival games at a nominal cost. Entrance to the site will be limited to Main and Franklin streets. In the event of rain, the evening activities will be moved to the Natchez Community Center at 215 Franklin St.

The singing of “Happy Birthday” with cupcakes and ice cream will be at 8 p.m., and fireworks will follow about 8:45 p.m.

Children should dress for warm weather. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and activities are subject to change. For more information or to volunteer to assist, please call Cheryl Waldrep at 601-445-5395 or email at Cheryl_munyer@nps.gov.

 

Cheryl Waldrep is the Museum Curator at Natchez National Historical Park.