Chickahominy Festival is Sept. 28-29

The Chickahominy Indian Tribe will join Native American friends and visitors for the 62nd annual Fall Festival and Pow-wow on Sept. 28-29 at the Chickahominy Tribal Grounds center in Charles City.

Grounds will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, with Grand Entry beginning at 12 p.m. Grounds will open on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 11 a.m.

Keith Colston, Tuscarora/Lumbee, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Host drum is Youghtanund, from Richmond. Maurice Proctor, Piscataway Tribe, will be the arena director. Chris Fortune (Rappahannock) will be the Head Male Dancer, Rebecca Balog (Oglala Sioux/Mohawk) is the Head Female Dancer, Conner Tupponce (Upper Mattaponi/Chickahominy) will be the Junior Head Male Dancer, and Emily Tupponce & Rachel Tupponce (Upper Mattaponi/Chickahominy), will serve as Junior Head Female Dancers.

Cultural and traditional exhibits including historic displays and information from the Chickahominy Indian Tribe will be on display for the public. Native American crafters will have jewelry, pottery, beadwork, leather crafts, and other authentic arts and crafts for sale. Food will be available and will feature Indian Fry Bread, fish & chips, hamburgers and hot dogs and more, as well as plenty of beverages and a bake sale.

The festival is open to the public, with free admission and parking is free. Donations will be accepted at the gate as well. Organizers suggest bringing lawn chairs or blankets. Pow-Wow etiquette will be followed. For health and safety reasons, no alcohol, drugs or pets are permitted on the Pow-Wow grounds.

For further information and directions to the Chickahominy Tribal Grounds, please visit the tribe’s website at www.chickahominytribe.org. Other information is available from organizers by calling 829-2027 or 557-3775.