NATCHITOCHES, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — The Ben D. Johnson Educational Center, in partnership with the City of Natchitoches, has advanced to the public voting phase for a national grant that could bring a free outdoor music series to the city beginning in 2026.

According to a news release, the Levitt Foundation, which funds the nation’s largest free outdoor concert series, will award up to $120,000 over three years to selected nonprofits. Grant recipients will host 7 to 10 concerts annually, featuring professional musicians across diverse genres, while transforming underused public spaces into community gathering places.

If chosen, Natchitoches would host its series at Ben Johnson Baseball Park in historic Jackson Square, according to a news release.

Public voting runs September 5–15, 2025, at

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