2015 Hammonassett Festival

It won’t be just another day at the beach when the Friends of Hammonasset host the 2015 Hammonassett Festival at Hammonasset Beach State Park. You’ll find Native American drumming and dancing, live raptor shows, spear throwing competitions, and a musician who combines Native and Celtic music. The Festival happens every two years. This year’s festival takes place Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th.

The artwork and performances at the festival will represent many Native American tribes.

Allan Saunders, of the Mohegan Tribe, will open the Festival with a Native American Blessing and Smudging ceremony.

Arvel Byrd returns to perform original music which combines his Native American heritage with his Celtic roots.

The Erin Meeches Dance Troupe will have members from New England coastal tribes, including Pequot, Wampanoag, or Schaticoke, and Narragansetts, as well as Mohegans.

Vendors showcasing authentic Native crafts, art, jewelry, bead-work, pottery, woodcarvings, flutes and clothing are available for sale.

There will be plenty of live animals, ranging from birds of prey from A Place Called Hope, native species of reptiles with Ranger Russ Miller, director of the Meigs Point Nature Center.

There’s a chance to toss an atlatl, (a prehistoric weapon of choice) at the New England Atlatl Championships.

The Hammonassett Festival will goes on rain-or-shine. The Hammonassett Festival honors native American culture and traditions, especially the Hammonassett people who lived in this area during the summer months. The event promises to be entertaining and educational for the whole family.

If you go

What: Hammonassett Festival

When: 10 a.m. To 5 p.m. Saturday October 3 and Sunday October 4

Where: Hammonasset Beach State Park, 1288 Boston Post Road, Madison

Admission: $5 per person per day, free for children 10 and under. Please leave your pets at home.

For more information, visit hammonasset.org or email info@hammonasset.org