Destrehan Plantation’s Fall Fest is back Nov. 11-12

Get ready for arts and crafts, food, bands

Destrehan Plantation’s Fall Festival is Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 11 – 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the plantation grounds.

This year’s festival will feature 125 arts and craft vendors, antiques and collectibles section in the Mule Barn, Cajun and Creole food and a children’s area with pony rides.

Tours of the plantation house will be available for an additional fee. Entertainment will be provided by Summer Breeze Band on Saturday afternoon and by Louisiana Spice on Sunday afternoon.

The event will be dedicated to lifetime River Road Historical Society Board members Ralph Miller and Betty Haydel.

Both Miller and Haydel served on the original board of directors established in 1968. Ralph remained an active member until his death in March 2017. Betty remained active on the board until last year when she retired. She continues as a member emeritus.

The Destrehan Plantation Education Center will be rededicated during the festival and renamed the Miller-Haydel Museum in recognition and appreciation of their continued work in establishing Destrehan Plantation as a house museum.

Special exhibits will also be available for viewing, which will be open free of charge.

The Jefferson Room, with an original document signed by Thomas Jefferson along with museum quality copies of documents which made up the Louisiana Purchase, will be open for viewing.

Also, the Herbert J. Harvey Jr., Legacy Room features original Destrehan family documents.  A video showing the history of Destrehan Plantation will be shown throughout the day also.

The Miller-Haydel Museum at Destrehan Plantation will feature an exhibit on the 1811 Slave Revolt featuring original folk art and artwork by well-known St. Charles Parish artist Lorraine Gendron. The museum features other exhibits including the Rost Home Colony and other details of the plantation’s history.

Additions to the festival include a Children’s Craft and Activity area in their School House building. Coloring pages, games and displays will be available for the children’s entertainment. This will be provided free of charge by the Heritage Education Program.

Free parking will be provided to all festival goers in the newly acquired property behind the Mule Barn.

Demonstrations of period crafts will be shown throughout the weekend.

Open Hearth Cooking, Smokehouse, Trapper’s Cabin, Bousillage Construction, will be demonstrated among others.

On Saturday, Dr. Eddie Boyd will be doing book signings of his book African American Home Remedies at the Gift Shop.

Destrehan Plantation is in its third year of its Master Plan Expansion. Projects have included a new Administrative Center, Bridal Suite, a small bed and breakfast cabin, School House, Trapper’s Cabin, additional property purchase and clearing for future expansion.

Admission is $8 for adults and teens, and free for ages 12 and under.

All proceeds from admission fees go toward Destrehan Plantation’s historic preservation efforts and expansion.

 

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply