Native American Cultural Festival continues this weekend at Chehaw

ALBANY — Chehaw kicked off its largest event of the year Friday when the park welcomed its annual Native American Cultural Festival, which will continue today and Sunday.

The festival is designed to both entertain and educate visitors, giving them a perspective on the history of Native Americans through dance, music, demonstrations and vendors whose booths showcase and sell Native American crafts and jewelry.

The event features a new attraction this weekend when Arvel Bird performs at the festival for the first time. An award-winning, classically-trained violinist, Bird has been described as “‘Braveheart’ meets ‘The Last of the Mohicans’ at Woodstock.” He’ll he’ll perform today and Sunday.

“Arvel Bird is one of our newest performers,” Morgan Burnette, public relations coordinator for Chehaw, said, adding he also plays the flute and drums. “He’s really incredible all the way around. Of course, we’re also going to have the Warriors on Horses that everybody likes.”

The horseback demonstrations are a popular attraction at the festival. Chehaw officials said those demonstrations include painted warriors mounted on horses and clashing shields in mock battles.

Other demonstrations will feature other award-winning musicians, Aztec dancers, stomp dancers, primitive technologies, hoop dancers and more. The zoo at Chehaw also will have special feedings, programs and demonstrations today and Sunday.

“It’s never the same show,” Burnette said.

The educational component is something that attracts area school groups.

“We get a good number of kids,” Burnette said, adding some classes, such as history and native Georgia, are able to incorporate the experience into their curriculum through a field trip.

Gates will open each day at 9:30 a.m. but the festival closes at 6 p.m. today and Sunday. Festival admission gets a visitor into both the Native American Cultural Festival and Chehaw’s zoo. Tickets are $12.85 for adults and $8.35 for children. Chehaw members can get in for $5 each. A two-day festival pass is $20 for adults and $12 for children.

Contact Chehaw at (229) 430-5275 or visit www.chehaw.org.