“Rocking on the Riverbank” Festival in Natchitoches
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University will present the first-ever Rocking on the Riverbank Homecoming Festival in downtown Natchitoches on Friday, Oct. 18. The event is open to the public and will include musical entertainment by MoJeaux (mojeauxband.com) on the riverbank stage, as well as food vendors, a mechanical bull and other attractions. This year’s Homecoming theme is “NSU Forever Young.”
“Rocking on the Riverbank will be an added attraction to follow our annual Homecoming parade and pep rally,” said Hailey Blount, associate director of alumni affairs. “We invite friends, alumni and the community to attend this new Homecoming Festival to kick off the weekend of festivities.”
The Alumni Association will provide a large tent to the left of the stage with tables and chairs where alumni are invited to gather and visit. Entertainment will include GyroExtreme, a mechanical bull, a cash bar and more. The NSU bookstore will host a booth selling Northwestern State gear. The Homecoming Festival is co-sponsored by the Historic District Development Commission.
Individuals, vendors, students and others will also be allowed to reserve 10 x 10-foot spaces on the riverbank. The 10 x 10 spaces can be accommodated with up to two tables, up to four chairs and electricity, if needed. The cost is per space and if electricity is needed. Tents will not be provided.
Rocking on the Riverbank will follow the annual parade and pep rally. The Homecoming parade will depart from campus at 5 p.m. Friday and proceed from NSU’s main gate onto Second Street, right on Rue Touline and onto the riverbank in downtown Natchitoches for the pep rally and Rocking on the Riverbank Homecoming Festival. The parade will feature floats decorated with the “Forever Young” theme carrying student groups and special guests to the pep rally. The pep rally will include performances by the NSU cheerleaders, Demon Dazzlers, pom pon line, and the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band; the introduction of the Homecoming Court and an appearance by Head Football Coach Jay Thomas, senior football players and the university’s newly made-over mascot, Vic the Demon.
“Our Friday parade and pep rally have become so popular with students, alumni and residents of Natchitoches, we decided to declare it a Homecoming festival and we expect a lot of participation,” said Haley Blount, associate director of Alumni Affairs. “We encourage NSU fans, alumni groups, Greeks, and others to plan to reserve spaces for get-togethers in a tailgating atmosphere during and after the pep rally.”
For more information or to make reservations, contact Blount at (318) 357-4414 or e-mail blounth@nsula.edu. More information is available at news.nsula.edu/homecoming-2013.