DESTREHAN — Destrehan Plantation’s Fall Festival runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11 and 12 on the plantation grounds, featuring 125 arts and craft vendors, an antiques and collectibles section in the Mule Barn, Cajun & 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 2017 festival will be dedicated to lifetime River Road Historical Society Board Members Ralph Miller and Betty Haydel, who each served on the original board of directors established in 1968.

Ralph remained an active member until his death in March. Betty remained active on the board until 2016, when she retired. She continues as a Member Emeritus.

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

While at the festival, be sure to see our special exhibits which will be open free of charge during the festival. Our 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, our 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 features 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 our School House building.  Coloring pages, games and displays will be available for the children’s entertainment. This will be provided free of charge by our Heritage Education Program.

Free parking will be provided to all festivalgoers in our newly acquired property located in back of our Mule Barn.

Demonstrations of period crafts will be shown throughout the weekend. Open hearth cooking, the Smokehouse, Trapper’s Cabin and Bousillage Construction, will be demonstrated among others.  On Saturday, be sure to visit our Gift Shop where Dr. Eddie Boyd will be doing book signings of his book African American Home Remedies.

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

Admission is $8 for adults and teens, free for ages 12 and under. All proceeds from admission fees go toward Destrehan Plantation’s historic preservation efforts and the Master Plan Expansion.