Annual American Indian Fest Coming This Weekend

If you ever had an interest in Native American culture, look no further. This Saturday, the Maryland National-Capital Park and Planing Commission will hold its third annual American Indian Festival at Patuxent River Park.

The festival will feature interactive work shops teaching hoop dancing, archery, and corn husk doll making. Families will be able to listen to traditional Cherokee stories around a camp fire and learn powwow etiquette.

Educational exhibits provide basic life skills such as fire starting, Navajo weaving, and other survival activities. Many of these activities and exhibits may also count towards scouting badge requirements. People that are curious about their ancestry can visit the genealogy booth for research tips.

“This is an opportunity to educate the public about Indian American cultures,” said event coordinator Karen Marshall.

The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Vendors will sell traditional foods, hand made crafts, horseback rides, and raffle tickets for nominal fees. Raffle prizes include wool fabric collectables and native style flutes.

For more information about the festival, visit the parks and planing web site at www.pgparks.com/Things_To_Do/Calendar-Events/3rd_Annual_American_Indian_Festival.htm or call 301-297-4575.

Patuxent River Park, 16700 Croom Airport Rd., Upper Marlboro, MD. 20772