Fairfax Park Authority to Honor Native American Heritage at Annual Fesitval

The Fairfax County Park Authority is bringing back its annual Virginia Indian Festival to Riverbend Park in Great Falls on Saturday, Sept. 12.

The annual event promotes the history of the area’s Native Americans while allowing current residents to connect with nature in the process.

Attendees will have the chance to help build a dugout canoe or to try using an atl-atl, or a hunting weapon used by Native Americans. The Park Authority notes both of these activities can be quite physically straining, and are as much about a fun activity as they are about teaching the Native Americans’ way of life.

There will be Native Americans on hand donning traditional tribal clothing. There will also be drummers, music, demonstrations, archery, crafts and pottery available at the festival.

The Virginia Indian Festival will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sept. 12, and will cost $5 per person. For more information, call 703-759-9018.

Image credit: Fairfax County