State Park Hosts Native American Pow Wow May 8

Native Americans dressed out in fully authentic regalia will gather at Occoneechee State Park located on Kerr Lake in Clarksville for this year’s festival, Saturday, May 8.

Festival goers can enter Occoneechee Park Saturday morning at 10:00, with the pageantry of Grand Entry scheduled for noon.  In an open field site near the park’s office, visitors will see preparations made for a significant Native American event called a powwow.  A circle is outlined with dancers traveling clockwise, performing traditional non-tribal spiritual dances and songs to the sound of beating drums, chanting and singing.

According to Scott Shanklin, park manager, two Native American drum groups will appear Saturday, Red Earth Singers and Secret Hill Singers.  He says the festival will draw many Occoneechee descendants and representatives of other tribal groups who come together to celebrate a legacy that was lived long before this country was created.  Approved vendors will offer Native American hand-made crafts, food, and other merchandise to the two to three thousand people expected to attend.  For more information, contact Occoneechee State Park.

Jeanne Faulconer, WCVE News, South Hill